Mayor TenHaken appoints new city attorney

The City of Sioux Falls has a new attorney.

Mayor Paul TenHaken announced the appointment of Rock Valley, Iowa, native Stacy Kooistra as city attorney on Tuesday.

Kooistra graduated from the University of Sioux Falls with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, earned a Master of Science degree in International Relations (MSIR) from Troy University, and obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota.

He is currently a partner at Myers Billion Law Firm in Sioux Falls.

Since 1996, Kooistra has served his country as a member of the armed forces including the U.S. Army and South Dakota Army National Guard. In 2007, Lt. Col Kooistra began his service as a Judge Advocate General Officer for the 114th Fighter Wing, South Dakota Air National Guard based in Sioux Falls, where he currently serves as the 114th Fighter Wing Staff Judge Advocate.

Kooistra and his wife Anna have four children -- Isabel, Oscar, Owen and Emmett.

The City Attorney serves as the attorney for the City, serving both the administration and the city council. The Attorney’s Office oversees the Human Relations, ADA, Risk Management, the Ethics Board, and Charter Revision Commission. It also provides legal support services to all City departments.

Kooistra’s appointment requires the advice and consent of the city council. That resolution will be presented to the council on Aug. 21.