High-powered lobby position comes open as South Dakota’s legislative session proceeds

Head of South Dakota Municipal League resigns post

PIERRE — The top lobbyist for South Dakota’s primary municipality association has stepped down in the middle of this year’s legislative session at the State Capitol.

The South Dakota Municipal League announced Wednesday that the resignation of David Reiss as its executive director after 16 months in the post.

“The League is committed to its mission of improving municipal government across our state,” according to a news release issued by SDML that did not provide a reason for Reiss’s departure. “We know our members and the public will continue to be well served by existing employees and our Board of Directors as we soon begin the hiring process for our new director.”

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SDML represents the interests of member cities and towns.

Reiss, a Pierre native, succeeded Yvonne Taylor in November 2022. Taylor, a veteran lobbyist, had been in the position for nearly three decades. Prior to his time with the Municipal League, Reiss served as the Executive Director of the Central South Dakota Enhancement District for five years.

Reiss declined to comment.