Balancing the need to provide law enforcement, roads and other services with the need to keep property taxes in line is a central issue for the three candidates for Pennington County Commission.

Former commissioner Lyle Hendrickson and political newcomer Wayne Sumner are challenging incumbent Nancy Trautman for the Republican nomination for the District 2 seat on the commission. No Democrats filed. Independents have until June 3 to file for the November general election.

The commission last year wrestled with funding for library, health and animal-control services as well as money to expand the jail addition.

Hendrickson says the county should work with the state Legislature to come up with fairer funding sources. And he said the county should develop programs to reduce the number of people jailed because of alcohol and drug problems. Hendrickson said reducing the jail population by 30 inmates could save half a million dollars a year.

Sumner said he has no particular recommendations for trimming the county budget. "I'm not sure I could tell that without hearing all sides and thinking a while," he said.

"Certainly, I recognize that the citizens of the county need government services, road repair, etc., but I also realize all this comes from taxes that we levy on the citizens," Sumner said. "I think it comes down to trying to find a balance between the services citizens need and/or want and how much we can afford. My purpose would be to attempt to seek that balance."

Trautman said she is encouraged by the county department heads' work so far on their proposed budgets for next year. "The staff and commissioners of Pennington County all realize we need to be very careful about how we spend the money we have," she said.

Trautman said an added expense next year will be a water-quality coordinator position that the county will hire to develop a clean water program.

Hendrickson is retired after a lifetime in various businesses.

Sumner is retired after a career in state government followed by owning and operating the coffee shop in the courthouse for 20 years.

Trautman worked in the financial industry for more than 30 years and now is the marketing director at Westhills Village Retirement Community.

Theirs is the only race for county office in the June 3 primary.

In District 4, incumbent commissioner James Kjerstad of Wall is the only one to file for the Republican nomination, and no Democrats filed.

State's attorney: Incumbent Glenn Brenner is the only one to file for the Republican nomination. No Democrats filed.

Treasurer: Incumbent Janet Saylor is the only one to file for the Republican nomination. No Democrats filed.

Filing deadline for independents is June 3.

Contact Steve Miller at 394-8417 or steve.miller@rapidcityjournal.com