South Dakota Record
Sioux Falls
ZO

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)

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
0

Term ending Jul 1, 2030.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
6
Total speaking time
3:22
Avg per meeting
0:34
Segments
56

Want every word Okuwe has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Okuwe said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Filtered to Taxes Budget

Top issues during term (15)(Taxes Budget)

critical→Aug 2026[50]

2027 BID Budget

The budget includes $3.8 million in new Benson Road contributions, $175,000 for Whittier outreach, a $950,000 stadium cut, and conditions on $4 million in zoo funds — with property tax revenue raised under SDCL 10-13-35.

high↑Oct 2026[20]

Downtown parking rates, fines, and enforcement hours

Estimated $250,000 a year in net new parking revenue; ramp hourly rates drop from $1.50 to $0.75 after 5 p.m.

medium↑Jul 2026[17]

21st Street frontage assessment

Affected property owners owe assessments with interest of 6.25% to 6.5% unless paid by September 10, 2026.

high↑Oct 2026[13]

Public Parking Fee and Fine Increases

Parking is self-funded, so general taxpayers don't subsidize it — but drivers pay more: $1.75/hour meters, $15 overtime tickets, $15 meter bags, up to $100/month for leased parking.

medium↑Jul 2026[12]

Consolidated reduced-taxation programs for new development

About $11,200 in combined tax relief for the affected parcels, spread across 2023-2025.

high↑Oct 2026[10]

September 2026 city financial report

City could end the year about $2.5 million above budget on sales tax, though building permit values are down $230 million.

medium↑Oct 2026[10]

Fuel site management and security

The city spends about $3 million a year on fuel, and the recommendations aim to prevent fraud, waste and abuse of that spending.

low↑Oct 2026[10]

Plat fee calculation and collection

Plat filing and platting fees fund city operations, and the audit confirms they're being collected accurately.

high↓Aug 2026[10]

State Property Tax Reform Impacts

Reduces property tax liability for qualifying elderly and disabled households.

high↓Aug 2026[10]

Rising Health Insurance and Internal Service Costs

$15.7 million budget; $1 million general fund transfer eliminated.

medium↑Nov 2026[10]

City legislative priorities

Could affect state funding streams the city relies on, though specific dollars haven't been laid out yet.

medium↓Aug 2026[5]

Upcoming Budget Votes September 1 and 8

The final 2027 budget and any amendments will be set at these September votes.

medium↓Aug 2026[5]

Medicaid reimbursement boosts public health clinic

Net clinic revenue rises $1.6 million, shrinking the city's subsidy.

high↓Jul 2026[2]

Interim Chief Administrative Officer appointment

The appointment must stay within the existing City Council budget, so no new spending was authorized.

medium↓Jul 2026[2]

Council leadership elections

Decisions during term (0)

Recorded while Okuwe was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

No decisions found matching Taxes Budget.

Voting record (0)(Taxes Budget)

No votes found matching Taxes Budget.