Lyle Hendrickson says finding ways to reduce the number of people jailed for alcohol-related offenses is key to holding down the Pennington County budget.

Hendrickson, who served on the county commission from 2001 to 2004, is running for the commission seat from District 2. He faces incumbent Nancy Trautman and newcomer Wayne Sumner in the June 3 Republican primary. No Democrats have filed.

Hendrickson said law enforcement and the jail account for a major part of the county's budget. "I think what we have to find a way to do is keep Pennington County residents out of the Pennington County Jail," he said.

Hendrickson said the commission was right to agree to continue to contract with the city for library services. He also supports establishment of a clean water program, which the commission did earlier this spring.

He said such a program can be done without huge cost and yet help clean up pollution. Hendrickson said there are a lot of septic systems that haven't been inspected, and some need to be replaced.

Currently a member of the county's Planning and Zoning Commission, Hendrickson said the county shouldn't limit growth but should guide it. "We need development, because new building in the county is the key to the success of the county growing."

Hendrickson, 72, grew up in North Dakota, graduating from Velva High School in 1956. He received a bachelor's degree in business economics in 1966 from North Dakota State University in Fargo.

He managed grocery stores in Grand Forks and Bismarck, N.D., Fremont, Neb., and Rapid City. He moved to Rapid City in 1979.

In 1986 he became part owner and operator of a mobile-home court and a carpet-cleaning service.

Hendrickson was also a licensed South Dakota real-estate broker associate. Hendrickson said he is currently unemployed, having sold his businesses.

He is involved in the Tragedy Assistance Program for families of military personnel who have died while on duty.