City Officials
Elected officials for Sioux Falls — their promises, tenure record, and accountability.
City Council
Rich Merkouris
Council Member, At-Large B2026-07-17 - 2030-07 (second term began July 17, 2026 per City of Sioux Falls release Jul 17, 2026; first elected 2022 per city bio; current-term start used because first-office day is not published; month-level end: July 2030, four-year term)
James Oppenheimer
Council Member, At-Large A2026-07-17 - 2030-07 (new term began July 17, 2026 per City of Sioux Falls release Jul 17, 2026 (won June 2026 election per Dakota News Now); month-level end: July 2030, four-year term)
Richard L. Thomason
Council Member, At-Large C2024-05-17 - 2028-05 (sworn in May 17, 2024 per Dakota News Now; four-year term; month-level end: May 2028 (city council page lists term expiring 2028))
Zak Okuwe
Council Member, Central District2026-07-17 - 2030-07 (new term began July 17, 2026 per City of Sioux Falls release Jul 17, 2026; month-level end: July 2030, four-year term)
Sara Pankonin
Council Member, Southeast District2026-07-17 - 2030-07 (new term began July 17, 2026 per City of Sioux Falls release Jul 17, 2026; month-level end: July 2030, four-year term)
Miranda Basye
Council Member, Northeast District2024-05-17 - 2028-05 (sworn in May 17, 2024 per Dakota News Now; four-year term; month-level end: May 2028)
Jennifer Sigette
Council Member, Northwest District2024-05-17 - 2028-05 (sworn in May 17, 2024 per Dakota News Now (replaced Greg Neitzert); four-year term; month-level end: May 2028)
Ryan Spellerberg
Council Member, Southwest District2024-05-17 - 2028-05 (sworn in May 17, 2024 per Dakota News Now (replaced Marshall Selberg); four-year term; month-level end: May 2028)
Former Officials (9)
Curt Soehl
Council Member, Central DistrictCentral District councilor (start not published in sources read); seat filled by Zak Okuwe, new term July 17, 2026 per City of Sioux Falls release
Served until Jul 2026
Paul TenHaken
Mayortook office May 15, 2018 and served two terms (eight years) until Erickson took office July 17, 2026 per City of Sioux Falls release Jul 17, 2026
Served until Jul 2026
Vernon Brown
Council Member, At-Large Aappointed to At-Large A vacancy Tuesday December 9, 2025 per SF Simplified; served until the June 2026 election winner Oppenheimer took office July 17, 2026
Served until Jul 2026
David Barranco
Council Member, Southeast Districtelected 2022 to Southeast District (start not published in sources read); died July 6, 2026 per City of Sioux Falls release Jul 6, 2026
Served until Jul 2026
Sarah Cole
Council Member, At-Large AAt-Large A; start not published in sources read; resigned for out-of-state job, replaced by Vernon Brown at council meeting of December 9, 2025 (SF Simplified); exact vacancy day December 3, 2025 per earlier agent research
Served until Dec 2025
Alex Jensen
Council Member, At-LargeAt-Large, elected 2020 (start day not published in sources read); term ended May 17, 2024 per City of Sioux Falls outgoing councilor reception notice
Served until May 2024
Greg Neitzert
Council Member, Northwest DistrictNorthwest District, elected 2016 (start day not published in sources read); term ended May 17, 2024 per City of Sioux Falls reception notice
Served until May 2024
Marshall Selberg
Council Member, Southwest DistrictSouthwest District, elected 2016 (start day not published in sources read); term-limited, ended May 17, 2024 per City of Sioux Falls reception notice
Served until May 2024
Pat Starr
Council Member, Northeast DistrictNortheast District, elected 2016 (start day not published in sources read); term ended May 17, 2024 per City of Sioux Falls reception notice
Served until May 2024