Will update airport board
By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
It’s a place tied to generations of families — but one that rarely gets much attention.
The Flandreau City Council recently approved Ordinance 639, formally establishing a cemetery board to help oversee the care, maintenance and long-term planning of Union Cemetery — a move city officials say has been discussed for years.
“The purpose of the Cemetery Board is to advise the City Council on the care, management, and maintenance of the cemetery,” City Administrator Cohl Turnquist said, noting staff are specifically seeking input on how to ensure the city continues to meet its perpetual care obligations for headstones.
The committee will consist of three to four appointed members, along with a City Council representative serving in an ex-officio role. Members will be appointed by the mayor with council approval and may serve indefinitely.
The goal is to bring in people who know the cemetery well, whether through personal history, experience or simply a willingness to help care for a space that holds meaning for many in the community. There is no residency requirement.
In addition to advising on general upkeep, the board may also assist in identifying headstones eligible for repair or replacement under the city’s perpetual care provisions. Anyone interested in serving is encouraged to contact the city office.
About 10 years ago, there was a cemetery committee appointed but this newly created committee will be a revised version.
“This new revised committee will give it a new structure,” said Mayor Dan Sutton.
The council also recently approved Ordinance 638, updating the structure of the city’s airport board as the Flandreau Municipal Airport prepares for growth.
The ordinance expands the board to include an additional member and formalizes the role of the city administrator as airport manager — an arrangement that had already been in practice but was not reflected in city code.
It also revises terms to be indefinite, replacing the previous requirement for reappointment every three years.
The airport board, Turnquist said, works alongside city staff, engineers and airport tenants to guide maintenance, operations and long-term planning at the airport. That role is becoming increasingly relevant as the city prepares for a planned expansion.
Bidding for the project is expected later this summer or early fall, with grading work likely beginning this fall. The bulk of construction — including additional hangars and a runway extension designed to accommodate larger aircraft — is anticipated in 2027.
City officials say they are working closely with Helm’s and Associates and the Federal Aviation Administration “to ensure that the project is well thought out and implemented effectively.”
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