Sen. Ryan Maher, a Republican from Isabel, sponsored the bill. The Senate Local Government amended the bill from 40% of eligible voters signing a petition to 20%. Current law is 15% to bring a petition for an election to move the county seat.
The West River Eagle reported the Dewey County courthouse serves approximately 5,239 people in an area of 2,302 square miles. The population per square mile is 2.3. Over 3,000 live within one mile of Eagle Butte. The population per square mile is 295.8. Timber Lake has a population of 509 people and covers less than one square mile. It’s a 42-mile drive from Eagle Butte to Timber Lake, and over 50 or 60 miles to Timber Lake from the most outlying communities, closer to 85 if the roads are bad and taking a detour becomes necessary.
Supporters of moving the county seat from Timber Lake to Eagle Butte say it would make the county seat more centrally-located for the convenience of all residents.
