Section 1.02 Construction.

   The powers of the city under this charter shall be construed favorably in support of the charter and the specific mention of particular powers in the charter shall not be construed as limiting in any way the general power granted in this article.

Section 1.03 Intergovernmental relations.

   The city may exercise any of its powers or perform any of its functions and may participate in the financing thereof, jointly or in cooperation, by contract or otherwise, with any one (1) or more states or any state civil division or agency, or the United States or any of its agencies.

   The city retains and reserves its right to Joint Exercise of Governmental Powers as set forth in SDCL Title 1. Further the city adopts and ratifies each and every contract and agreement entered into by virtue of that power under any prior city organization or form of government.

Section 1.04 Limitations.

   Nothing in this charter shall be construed to permit the city to do any of the following:

      (1)   Levy a personal or corporate income tax,

      (2)   Issue more liquor licenses,

      (3)   Permit increased gaming, or

      (4)   Incur additional debt,

unless and except to the extent otherwise authorized to any city established as a SDCL Title 9 authorized form of city government.

Section 1.05 New taxes.

   Any new form or type of taxation which is approved by the city council must be referred to a vote of the people before it can become effective. This does not apply to new or increased fees or increases in existing taxes.

ARTICLE II. CITY COUNCIL

Section 2.01 General powers and duties.

   All powers of the city shall be vested in the city council, except as otherwise provided by law or this charter, and the council shall provide for the exercise thereof and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the city by law. The council shall act as a part-time, policy making and legislative body, avoiding management and administrative issues.

Section 2.02 Composition, eligibility, election, and terms.

   (a)   Composition. There shall be a city council composed of the mayor and eight (8) members. Three (3) council members shall be nominated and elected by the voters of the city at large, and five (5) shall be nominated and elected by the voters of each of the five (5) council districts, as provided in article VI.

   (b)   Eligibility. Only the registered voters of the city who have resided in the city for at least six (6) months immediately prior to the date of election shall be eligible to hold the office of council member or mayor. Council members representing a district must also have resided in that district for at least six (6) months immediately prior to the date of election.

   (c)   Election and terms. The terms of council members shall be four (4) years beginning no later than whichever day the City Council meets during the third week of May following the official canvass of any final council or mayoral election, whichever is later, and shall continue until a successor has been elected and takes office. No council member may serve more than two (2) full or partial terms consecutively, unless a partial term was for 50 percent or less of the full term then the council member may serve an additional two full terms; however, a council member may immediately thereafter be eligible to be a candidate for mayor. The two consecutive term limit shall apply regardless of whether a council member has served as a district or an at large council member or both.

(4-11-00, § A; 4-8-14, § A; 4-12-16, § A; 6-2-20, § A)