Jensen sworn in as new era of Sioux Falls City Council begins

The next crop of Sioux Falls City Councilors began serving their four-year terms behind the dais this week.

Half of the eight-member council was formally sworn in during an installation ceremony at Carnegie Town Hall in downtown Sioux Falls Tuesday, including Alex Jensen, who unseated Theresa Stehly in her re-election bid last month.

Jensen, the 33-year-old banker and former state lawmaker became just the third person under the strong mayor-city council form of government in Sioux Falls to defeat an incumbent.

Typically, new council terms begin in May, but this year the installation ceremony comes in July due to the municipal election being postponed from April to early June and then the need for a recount in the Jensen-Stehly contest.

Jensen told the Argus Leader following the ceremony that he'll spent his first few meetings learning the ropes and understanding the process. But his experience in finance and on the appropriations committee in the state Legislature will serve him well early on in his term as Mayor Paul TenHaken's will deliver his 2021 proposed budget later this month.

"The budget, I understand that well and I'm going to make it a point to work with my colleagues," said Jensen, joined by his wife and son during the ceremony. "Even if we might have differences of opinions, we're going to work through those to get to common goals."

Councilors Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg and Pat Starr also had family at their side while taking their oath of office before beginning their second terms.

Selberg and Starr were unopposed in the spring election while Neitzert defeated challenger Julian Beaudion.

At their evening meeting, councilors elected new leadership, selecting who would serve as chair person and vice chairperson for the next year.

Neitzert, who'd served as vice chair was promoted to chairman, a job that requires him to lead council proceedings in the absence of the mayor.

Councilor Curt Soehl was elected vice chairperson.