Rejected by city hall and a local judge, a citizen group seeking a public vote on deals to expand the municipal Southern Hills Golf Course will appeal to the South Dakota Supreme Court.

The controversy dates back more than six years. In February, the Hot Springs City Council agreed to measures to settle lawsuits over the adding of nine holes to the course in 2005. The board in March rejected referendum petitions seeking a public vote, and in August, Circuit Jerome Eckrich rejected a request to mandate the vote.

Now, petitioners Darnell and Deb Okerson, on behalf of a citizen group, are taking their complaints to the Supreme Court. Timetables for filing legal paperwork will extend the case into early 2009. Meanwhile, city officials say the lawsuit settlement stipulations will continue.