News

Christmas Tree Retirement Notice


Christmas Tree Retirement Notice
Curbside Christmas tree pickup will be one day only on January 5. Please have your tree at the curb by that morning, ready for its final journey.
Still not ready to say goodbye? A roll-off container will be available in the gravel parking lot west of City Hall through January 9 for trees that overstay their welcome.
Thanks for helping us keep the post-holiday cleanup merry and mess-free!

New Year's Week Trash Collection Schedule


Residents are advised of the following trash collection schedule changes for New Year's week. Please plan accordingly to ensure service.

Service Schedule

  • Monday, 12/29: Monday and Tuesday routes will be serviced.
  • Tuesday, 12/30: Wednesday routes will be serviced.
  • Wednesday, 12/31: Thursday routes will be serviced.
  • Thursday, 1/1: Kieffer Sanitation will be closed in observance of New Year’s Day.
  • Friday, 1/2: Friday routes will be serviced as scheduled.

Please have trash cans placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your service day (or the night before) and leave them out until collection has occurred.

For questions regarding trash collection, please contact:
Kieffer Sanitation
605-342-5575


Ongoing Investigation: Call for Public Assistance


Box Elder PD Investigation Alert:
There is an ongoing investigation related to an incident that occurred late last night near Westgate Road and Halsey Drive. The two main parties involved have been identified. There is no danger to the public. Anyone who may have witnessed anything related to the incident or has information is asked to contact our non-emergency number at 605-394-2192.

Heads Up! Utility Bills Will Be Mailed This Month


We encountered an issue with our billing software system that may prevent some customers from receiving this month’s utility bill by email. Printed copies for all customers will be mailed to the addresses on file.
Electronic copies of bills will be available for online viewing by 12/19/2025. If you have not yet set up your online account, your account and customer information can be found on a previous bill.
If you would like to pick up a copy of your bill in person or if you need assistance locating your account information, please get in touch with City Hall.
Important Reminder:
As stated on the Utility Account Application and in Municipal Code sections 42-30(d) and 42-194(k), failure to receive a bill or notice does not prevent the bill from becoming delinquent and does not relieve the customer of responsibility for payment.

Mailbox Mystery on Cottonwood Drive!


If you’ve noticed your mailbox isn’t where you left it don’t worry, it hasn’t wandered off on its own. As pictured below these Cottonwood Drive mailboxes have been relocated to their new spot on Line Road due to right-of-way requirements.

Note that the boxes aren’t labeled with addresses, please follow up with the Post Office to ensure your address information is updated and to confirm the correct box location.

The Box Elder Post Office number is 605-923-2484. 




Water Main Tie-In Notice


Mainline Contracting and the City Water Department will be connecting the new main to the city system. Please see the schedule below for possible service interruptions:
Today (Fri, 10/24):
Crews are repairing valves on Thunderbird Drive and Cardinal Drive to reduce impacts during tie-ins.
Monday (10/27):
- Thunderbird Drive Intersection: Most residents north of Cardinal Drive may lose water temporarily.
- Rancho Drive Intersection: Affects all residents on Rancho Drive, D&R Avenue, and Whispering Willows.
Wednesday (10/29):
- Cardinal Drive Intersection: Affects Cardinal Drive through Cardinal Court and possibly north Thunderbird Drive.
- Bluebird Drive Intersection: Affects apartments and the first home before Tanglewood Drive.
Crews will work quickly to restore service and minimize disruption.

Box Elder’s Amanda Spitzer Earns Elite CPP Status


Box Elder, South Dakota - City of Box Elder, Amanda Spitzer, Payroll and Benefits Specialist for the City of Box Elder, has recently earned the prestigious Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification, awarded by PayrollOrg (PAYO). Formed in 2023 through the merger of the American Payroll Association and the Global Payroll Management Institute, PAYO is the leading authority in payroll education and certification. Amanda’s achievement places her among an elite group. She is now one of only eight professionals in the entire state of South Dakota to hold this nationally recognized credential. 

Click the link to read the full release.


Road Closure Alert: West Gate Road


West Gate Road will be closed from Cardinal Drive to the south side of Thunderbird Drive. 


Detour Routes:
Use Bluebird Drive and Thunderbird Drive to navigate around the closure.
Westgate Road is open from Hwy 14/16 to Bluebird Drive.


Please use caution and follow posted detour signs. Thank you for your patience!


Fleet Manager Kenny R. Moore Sets Regional Milestone for City of Box Elder with Certified Public Fleet Professional Designation


Last night, the City Council recognized Fleet Manager Kenny Moore for earning the Certified Public Fleet Professional (CPFP) designation from the American Public Works Association!

Kenny is the first in a five-state region to receive this certification, a huge accomplishment for him and the City of Box Elder. Read the full news release here:



Assistant Public Works Director Cassie Furchner Earns Prestigious Certified Public Works Professional-Management Designation


 Last night, the City Council recognized Cassie for earning the Certified Public Works Professional – Management (CPWP-M) designation from the American Public Works Association!

We’re incredibly proud of Cassie’s dedication and her vital role in keeping our city running smoothly. Read the full news release here:


Hotel Way Now Open in Box Elder, Offering Easier Access to WaTiki Water Park and Starbucks


Exciting news for locals and visitors alike: Hotel Way is now officially open in Box Elder! 

This new roadway connects the I-90 Service Road to Cheyenne Boulevard, providing smoother and more convenient access to two of the area’s favorite destinations, WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort and Starbucks. 

Hotel Way has been a long-standing goal for Box Elder, and with the assistance of LIV Hospitality, the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT), and Rapid City, Box Elder has been able to bring this much-needed corridor to life. The new road also eliminates the need for drivers to make a left turn from the I-90 Service Road onto Elk Vale when traveling south, representing a significant safety improvement in the area. The opening of Hotel Way is part of an ongoing effort to enhance infrastructure, improve traffic flow, and elevate the overall travel experience for residents, hotel guests, and tourists visiting one of South Dakota’s top family destinations. 

Whether you’re grabbing your morning coffee or spending the day at the waterpark, getting there is now quicker, safer, and more convenient than ever.

News Release Here:


Construction Update Highway 1416 Sanitary Sewer Project


The City of Box Elder will be providing updates to the public regarding current and anticipated impacts to traffic flows and construction activities related to the Highway 14/16 Sanitary Sewer Upgrades project. Updates will be posted on a weekly basis to the City’s website [www.boxeldersd.us] on our Engineering Department’s page and the News Section of our homepage. Updates will also be posted to the City’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
April 21 to April 25:
· Work continues in the Highway 1416 median on the eastern end of the project.
· Work will include activities next to Highway 1416, but all lanes will remain open.
· Important Note: Oak Street crossover expected to be closed April 21st - April 23rd.
April 28 to May 2:
· Work continues in the Highway 1416 median near S Ellsworth Road
· Work includes activities next to Highway 1416, all lanes of Hwy 1416 will remain open.
· Important Note: S Ellsworth Rd and Highway 1416 crossover to be closed tentatively beginning April 28th – May 2nd.
o Oak Street crossover will be opened to traffic and used as a detour during S Ellsworth Rd closure, expect a gravel “patch”.
o Motorists should consider utilizing Liberty Blvd for access to the downtown area.

Water Service Leak


UPDATE @ 8:56 p.m. - Water Services are restored, however the lines will need to repressurize. Expect this to take until approximately 9:30 p.m. Water may be cloudy at first, running the faucet for a few minutes should result in clear water.

UPDATE @ 4:40 p.m. - Water Services are expected to be off until approximately 8 p.m.

Water Service Leak - Expect low to no water pressure in service areas north of Interstate 90. Currently unknown when services will return to normal. Updates will be provided.

UPDATE: City offices are closed for the day (3/19/2025 @ 3:45 p.m.) due to no water.

Thank you!


Town Hall Meeting


THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for the first of what we intend to be future Town Halls. On December 4, 2024, the City of Box Elder and Ellsworth Air Force Base presented and discussed upcoming projects in both the City and on Base. 


A recording of this meeting, and all future meetings, is available here.


The agenda included:

  • Welcome & Introductions: Mayor and Wing Commander
  • Project Updates:
    • Base Projects: Civil Engineers share updates on mission support and runway improvements
    • City Infrastructure: City Engineer outlines upcoming city projects
    • Grants: City Grant Writer discusses recent and future grants
    • Community Development: Planning, zoning, and economic growth updates
  • [Tentative]: School District updates on plans for student growth


Please email public.information@boxelder.us with any questions.