Two Dell Rapids city employees were given awards during the 84 Annual South Dakota Municipals League Conference held Tuesday, October 3rd through Friday, October 6th. This year’s conference was held at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Sioux Falls.
City of Dell Rapids Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector Ben Gruis was awarded the annual Jim Fjerstad Safety Award. This award goes to only one individual in South Dakota per year.
“Ben runs our safety program for our city. He was recognized at a luncheon in front of everyone that was in attendance at the luncheon. He was unaware that he was going to receive the award, and his wife was there, so it was a nice moment,” said City Administrator Justin Weiland at the Dell Rapids City Council meeting on Monday, October 16th.
Public Works Director Larry Schildhauer was also recognized during the conference. Schildhauer was inducted into South Dakota Municipal League Hall of Fame during a luncheon. Schildhauer has provided the city with 42 years of service.
“Governor Daugaard was the keynote speaker at that luncheon, and in the middle of his speech pointed at Larry and called out Larry for being his classmate. Said what a great guy he was and they don’t get to hang out enough. He commended him for his years of service, so that was pretty nice moment as well,” Weiland also said during the council meeting.