At this week’s City Commission meeting, Pierre Mayor Steve Harding was sworn in for his second term as the Mayor of South Dakota’s capital city.
After thanking Judge Bridget Mayer for conducting the Oath of Office ceremony, Harding spent a few minutes expressing gratitude. He thanked the community and commission for their support of major City initiatives including a new City Hall, a new outdoor swimming pool, the rehabilitation of the Boys and Girls Club, and the development of the drinking water treatment facility.
“Looking back over the last three years, I want to thank the Commission for their support. We have done major projects,” said Mayor Harding. “I want to also thank the citizens for their support of myself and the commission.”
He also thanked City Staff.
Harding said, “We have dedicated staff who live in Pierre and want a beautiful community and want to provide the public service we’ve all come to expect.”
As required by Home Rule Charter, the Mayor also gave the commissioners their assignments for the next year. Comm. Jim Mehlhaff will continue as President of the Commission and lead meetings in Mayor Harding’s absence. Comm. Mehlhaff will now also serve on the Deer Management Task Force, a role previously served by Comm. Blake Barringer. With the exception of change of assignment to the Deer Management Task Force, all Commissioners are retaining their current roles.
Comm. Blake Barringer is the liaison to the Utilities Dept.; Comm. Jamie Huizenga is the liaison to the Engineering Dept.; Comm. Vona Johnson is the liaison to the Parks and Recreation Dept.; and Comm. Jim Mehlhaff is the Public Safety and Library liaison.
Prior to being elected Mayor, Harding served on the Pierre City Commission for nine years. In addition to his City duties, Harding works full time for the State of South Dakota as the Deputy Secretary of the Dept. of the Military. He holds a degree from Black Hills State University and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Following 34 years of service, Harding retired from the South Dakota Army National Guard as a Colonel.