Jailer/Correctional Officer: The Fall River County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for correctional officers. Ideal applicants are those with good moral character, in good physical condition and who are interested in serving their community as a member of the Fall River County Sheriff’s Office Team.  Correctional officers, upon hire, undergo on-going training courses along with on-the-job training to prepare them to supervise inmates.

Starting wage: $12.50/hour (DOE). Shifts are day, evening and overnight, and include weekends and holidays. Benefits include paid health, vision and dental insurance; vacation, sick and personal leave and South Dakota State Retirement.  Applicant must be at least 18 year of age with high school diploma or GED.  Must have a valid SD drivers license and have no felony convictions. Applicants must pass a complete background investigation, interview process, and a drug screening test.  No experience required. Females encouraged to apply.  Submit Law Enforcement Applications to the Sheriff’s Office, 906 N. River St., Hot Springs, SD. Position open until filled.

See employment page for application

The auction for South Dakota School and Public Land leases within Fall River County will be held on Thursday, March 29th at the Fall River County South Annex (709 Jensen Hwy).  For information on the land leases being auctioned visit the SD School and Public Lands website here.   The auction will begin at 10am.

The deadline to appeal your property assessment value is Tuesday, April 3rd.   Assessment appeal forms must be mailed or filed with the county auditor by that date.

What are grounds for an appeal?

• Inaccuracies on your property record (You have one bath, not two. You have a carport, not a garage. Your house’s square footage is incorrect.)
• You have evidence that properties similar to your own have sold for less than the assessment value of your property.
• The assessment value of your property is higher than the assessment value of similar properties in your neighborhood.

The assessment value of your property affects the taxes you will be responsible for next year.  It is not possible to appeal your taxes only your assessment value.  Dates for appealing and forms are available here or with the Director of Equalization’s office at 1029 N River St, Hot Springs.

The Freeze on Assessments Program prevents the homeowner’s property from increasing in value, for tax purposes. This means that as the value of the home increases, the homeowner will pay tax on the former (lower) value. Property is defined as the house, garage, and the lot upon which it sits, or one acre, whichever is less.

To qualify:

• you must be 65 year of age or older, or disabled
• you must own the home or have retained a life estate in the property
• your federal gross income plus any income not included in that figure (this includes Social Security Payments) must be lower than:
  • $27,697.78 for single member household (2018 value, values change every year)
  • $34,622.21 for multiple member household  (2018 value, values change every year)
• The full and true market value of the property must be less than $190,122.74 unless the applicant has received the assessment freeze in a preceding year on that property.

Form: Assessment Freeze for the Elderly & Disabled

Forms should be turned in to the Fall River County Treasurer on or before April 1st. The assessment freeze must be applied for yearly. Questions concerning applications and income should be directed to the Treasurer at 605-745-5145.

The attached document is from the IAAO (International Association of Assessing Officers).  This information sheet answers questions such as:

• How is Your Property Value Estimated?
• What Causes Property Values to Change?
• What are the Grounds for an Appeal?
• What is the Role of Taxing Authorities?

There is also general information of what to expect during an appeal process.

See document here.