The state has spent or obligated nearly all the roughly $1 billion dollars it received from a President Biden pandemic relief package.
Twenty percent of the money has already been spent. About 70 percent has been committed to a state agency, contracts or grants, but has not been spent.
Jim Terwilliger, head of the state’s Bureau of Finance and Management, told the joint committee on appropriations Monday the governor will present a plan to spend the remaining 10 percent next month.
“I do expect, when the governor delivers her budget speech on Dec. 5, she will also lay out a plan for this remaining $105 million for the legislature to consider,” Terwilliger said. “I look forward to having that conversation when the time is ready to make sure we appropriate the remaining SFRS funds.”
The American Rescue Plan requires the state to commit the money by the end of 2024. The money must be spent by the end of 2026.
Gov. Kristi Noem is already cautioning lawmakers revenues will come in lower than previous years. She’s urging them to get prepared to craft a “tight budget.”
