Sioux Falls Mayor Appointed New Parks Director
The city council will review the selection of Brett Kollars to lead the department's 491-person staff.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Should city council approval be required for all mayoral appointments of department directors?
Mayor Christine Erickson has appointed Brett Kollars as the new director of the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation department. The appointment is pending formal review by the Sioux Falls City Council.
Why it matters
The new director will oversee the management of 82 parks and 3,474 acres of land, shaping the city's approach to public infrastructure and community operations.
The department currently employs 91 full-time and 400 seasonal staff members. It is responsible for maintaining 82 parks and 3,474 total acres of public land.
The players
Christine Erickson
The Mayor of Sioux Falls responsible for executive appointments.
Brett Kollars
The incoming Parks and Recreation director and former Avera Medical Group employee.
Don Kearney
The former Parks and Recreation director who retired in April 2026.
The details
Brett Kollars, who previously worked at Avera Medical Group, joined the city in 2022 as an assistant director before serving as interim leader. A committee comprising representatives from the Parks and Recreation Board, partner organizations, and city staff conducted the selection process. The director's role involves overseeing significant assets including 41 miles of recreation trail, 6 outdoor pools, and 4 spray parks.
Timeline
2022: Brett Kollars joined the city as assistant director.
April 2026: Don Kearney retired as director.
October 20, 2026: The Sioux Falls City Council is scheduled to review the appointment.
Market Landscape
The appointment concludes a leadership transition process that began following the April 2026 retirement of Don Kearney. It follows the standard administrative pattern for executive vacancies in municipal departments.
Operators managing partnerships or vendor contracts with the parks department should anticipate potential shifts in operational priorities under new leadership. Business owners should monitor the October 20, 2026, council meeting for official confirmation of these departmental changes.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions in city government often lead to shifts in procurement and maintenance priorities for contracted service providers. Monitor the October 20, 2026, City Council meeting to understand the incoming director's policy focus.
What happens next
The Sioux Falls City Council will hold a formal review session for the appointment on October 20, 2026.
Further reading
For more details on leadership changes in the region, see People.
Live Poll
Should city council approval be required for all mayoral appointments of department directors?
