New state auditor policy will require pre-approval for hospitality

Auditor Rich Sattgast ends zero tolerance food and beverage policy for state sponsored events

(Austin Goss/The Dakota Scout)

PIERRE — South Dakota state government agencies planning to have food or beverages at their events will now have to get clearance from the state Auditor’s Office ahead of time.

In an email sent to the state’s Bureau of Finance and Management (BFM) Monday, the Auditor’s Office said that the new policy will go into effect over all events on or after Jan. 1, 2025. The office has also taken the liberty to define what quantifies as requiring pre-approval under the new policy, and crafting forms to be filled out by state workers for them to review.

“All of these areas will now require prior office of the state auditor (OSA) approval,” the announcement email reads. “Forms for OSA approval must be dropped off, inter-officed or mailed.”

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