Yankton County In Spiral: Chairman John Marquardt’s Disastrous Leadership. Thrive Consolidates Control Over County

May 31

This came to me anonymously, but well sourced. People need to really focus on these "economic development" projects. Looks like we have some corruption in Yankton County that the people should ask some questions about.

Yankton County In Spiral: Chairman John Marquardt’s Disastrous Leadership. Thrive Consolidates Control Over County

4-H Program Debacle: In 2025, fear swept Yankton County as the beloved 4-H program for youth stood on the brink of collapse. Chairman John Marquardt, who touts himself as an agriculture leader, failed the leadership test when it mattered. Despite being forewarned, he remained silent as a motion passed to fund the 4-H board with a one-time grant instead of hiring an employee, a move that violated the county’s longstanding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South Dakota State University (SDSU). The decision ignited outrage. 4-H families rallied, packed the next county commission meeting, and drew intense regional coverage from Dakota News Now and KCAU Channel 9, News, Sioux City. During the chaotic session, Marquardt used the media spotlight to announce his candidacy for State House of Representatives in violation of SDCL 12-27-20, while incorrectly blaming SDSU for breaking the 2023 MOU. He was promptly corrected: the County Commission, under his leadership, had broken the agreement. As citizens took turns at the podium to explain the situation, a flustered and visibly confused Marquardt slammed the table in anger. Graciously, SDSU offered an updated MOU, saving the 4-H program. Marquardt grudgingly signed the new MOU.

Swan Lake Wind Farm Disaster: Chairman John Marquardt faced a clear conflict of interest, not once, but twice in the rezoning and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the Swan Lake Wind Project encompassing Yankton and Turner Counties. A taxpayer‑subsidized project proposed by a partially foreign‑owned entity that was not legally authorized to conduct business in South Dakota. Multiple wind turbines were planned for land that Marquardt’s brother had coincidentally purchased before the project became public knowledge. Despite this clear conflict of interest, Chairman Marquardt cast the deciding vote in a 3-2 approval, directly benefiting his brother financially. Hundreds of residents packed meetings over many months to voice strong opposition of environmentally damaging wind turbines, yet he refused to enact the will of citizens. In contrast, the Turner County chairman had a similar conflict of interest and recused himself, followed by the Turner County commission passing a one-year wind energy moratorium. Marquardt’s decision triggered an active lawsuit against Yankton County (Case #: 66CIV24-000412), scheduled for hearing on July 30, 2026. Litigation is costing county tax payers tens of thousands of dollars and a potential seven figure settlement. Marquardt recently stated that the Swan Lake project will “probably not happen now”. Though, our children will be burdened with Marquardt decisions long after he exits the commission.

Friends of John: During his time on the commission, and unlike 4-H, Marquardt has found causes he likes. He’s approved a plethora of wasteful spending in 2025 alone. Including, but not limited to: $350k for court and translator services for undocumented workers, over $500k to the largest medical facility in Yankton for indigent care, a majority of those costs covering undocumented workers utilizing ER and other medical services that were meant for citizens, and tens of thousands of dollars to feed undocumented workers at the contact center over the past three years alone. Upon taking office, Chairman Marquardt inherited a voluntary political agreement, not a legal requirement, to funnel $50,000 per year from county property taxes into Thrives coffers, which he has refused to stop, until the four-year Thrive YES4 Initiative ended in December 2025. Those funds have primarily benefited a small group of insiders while shutting out county citizens and local businesses. The bid process has consistently disadvantaged local contractors on multi-million-dollar projects, with the money instead being directed to out-of-county corporate friends. Millions of dollars in spending that could have benefited the families and infrastructure of Yankton County.

Corporate Consolidation: In 2026, Chairman Marquardt created both an Economic Development Task Force and a Financial Task Force under the banner of “efficiency” and “economic opportunity.” Yet both groups appear heavily populated by Thrive insiders. The Finance Task Force is chaired by the current Chair of Thrive Board and former CEO of the medical facility that previously sued Yankton County over the costs of medical services provided to undocumented workers. One of the proposals under serious consideration is forcing Yankton County citizens into an Opt-Out system (perpetual property tax increases). At a time when county spending continues to spiral upward, and the commission refuses to eliminate wasteful spending, taxpayers are left asking a simple question: How many more property tax increases can families afford? Question: Do the citizens of Yankton County want another chapter of failed leadership and insider-driven government in Pierre?

Sources:

https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/.../fears-run-high-that.../

Yankton County Commission Meeting 08/19/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq2BFnljipI

Yankton County Commission Meeting 09/02/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdw-xzJ4Kes

Yankton County Commission Meeting 08/20/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzvCxp7BGoU

Yankton County Commission Meeting 11/07/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3eVAjxYDtg

https://turner.sdcounties.org/.../minutes_august_26_2025...

https://www.yankton.net/.../article_553c84a9-4d38-487c...