KOTA Territory NewsSpearfish Valley annex raises more questions than answers for locals

Spearfish Valley annex raises more questions than answers for locals

The Merkle family has farmed in the Spearfish Valley area for almost ninety years.

But soon the tight knit community of 2,200 could be incorporated into the city of Spearfish.

The Merkle's are unsure of what that could mean for their future.

"Since we're agriculture I don't think it will benefit us at all. I think mostly, [the city] wants to increase their tax area.

Other business owners share the Merkle's fears and question the motivation behind the annexation.

"It is more densely populated than spearfish itself, so it's a lot of tax dollars," said Nicole Krautschun, co-owner of Beck's Nursery on Evans Lane. 

The annexation plan calls for Evans lane to be re–built and utilized as an arterial street ... at a cost of anywhere between $750,000 to $2.4 million.

"A lot of us are farmers so we are crowding up Evans lane with 1946 tractors at 6 in the morning," said Krautschun. 

"We'd like to see it kept in the county rather than the city limits. Because of our early morning work we worry about whether the regulation of no noise before 7 in the morning... We think of things that might have to change, and not to our benefit," said Janet Merkle.

The Merkle's and others who call this area home hope their concerns are heard...and respected

"The city wants to see the rural flavor stay in this area so we'll see how much support they'll have for us," said Janet Merkle. 

Spearfish is conducting an in–house study on the feasibility of annexation...and more public meetings are planned.