Court Opinion

ID: 9664842
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 00:31:38.385316+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:10.725045
License: Public Domain

WUEST, Acting Justice
(concurring in part, dissenting in part).
I agree with the majority on Issue I and that part of Issue II which holds the declaration must be expressed in the resolution when necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety of the city. However, it is my opinion that the appointment of a second policeman was an administrative act, not subject to a referendum election. Having a mayor and common council, SDCL 9-14-1 and 9-14-3 provide for the appointment of the policeman by the Murdo Mayor with approval of the council.
The appointment of a policeman by the mayor was an administrative act, not an ordinance or resolution subject to referendum. The approval by the council was an administrative act not subject to referendum. See Lowe, Restrictions on Initiative and Referendum Powers in South Dakota, 28 S.D.L.Rev. 53, 78 (1982); see also Ruano v. Spellman, 81 Wash.2d 820, 505 P.2d 447 (1973); Forman v. Eagle Thrifty Drugs and Mkts., Inc., 89 Nev. 533, 516 P.2d 1234 (1973); State ex rel. Nelson v. Butler, 145 Neb. 638, 17 N.W.2d 683 (1945).
*151The minutes prepared by laymen for small cities and school districts often lack the legal niceties compared to those prepared by legal experts. Nonetheless, the minutes were in substantial compliance with the statutes, SDCL 9-14-1 and 9-14-3.Those minutes did not provide for the position of a second policeman. That was accomplished when the appropriation ordinance was adopted.