Codington County Tax Opponents Launch Petition Drive in Watertown to Force Vote on Ordinance 83

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - A local group opposed to Codington County’s newly adopted gross receipts and use tax will begin circulating a petition Thursday, July 30, seeking a public referendum on Ordinance 83, according to organizers.

A meeting to launch the petition effort is scheduled for 4:00–5:00 p.m. Thursday in the back room at Gather, 122 East Kemp Avenue in Watertown. Organizers say they must collect at least 943 signatures from registered Codington County voters by August 18 to place the ordinance on the ballot.

Ordinance 83 establishes a 0.5% county gross receipts and use tax on taxable purchases made by Codington County residents. The release argues the measure amounts to an “unfair tax shift,” noting that a separate 0.3% statewide sales tax increase is scheduled for 2027. Combined, opponents say residents will face a 0.8% total increase during a period of high inflation.

The petition group contends the ordinance disproportionately affects renters, working families, and farmers by increasing sales tax on necessities and agricultural inputs.

“Renters are facing skyrocketing rent prices. Ordinance 83 tells them to pick up the tab for homeowner tax relief,” the release states.

Funds generated by the tax would be distributed to single‑family owner‑occupied households, with no cap on relief amounts. Organizers argue that higher‑value homes would receive larger benefits, while families with modest properties would see smaller returns relative to the additional sales tax they pay.

The release also characterizes sales tax as a regressive burden applied broadly to essential goods such as food and clothing. Opponents say the structure of Ordinance 83 means

“those with a high-priced home will see the greatest savings.”

Residents seeking more information or wishing to participate in the petition effort may contact organizer Shelly Alvine at 605‑881‑1694.

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