Spearfish previews $27M 2027 budget and plans to take full property-tax request
July 20, 2026 | North Spearfish, Lawrence County, South Dakota
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City finance staff presented a preliminary view of the 2027 budget that would include nearly $27 million in general-fund revenue and a proposed property-tax request of $3,808,087, which finance staff described as the full amount the city can request under state law.
Michelle (speaker 2) told council the proposed property-tax figure represents roughly a 6.3% increase in the property-tax budget and that the change is driven primarily by the closure of two tax-increment financing districts (TIF 1 and TIF 4), whose taxable value is now returning to the rolls. "We would ask for $3,808,087," Michelle said, noting staff budgets property-tax collections at 95% to reflect historical nonpayment rates.
Staff presented a conservative 3% sales-tax increase projection, and noted several conditional revenue items: about $1.3 million in potential federal grant revenue tied to a project that may or may not move forward, and a tentative two-year state grant of roughly $70,000 for software. Michelle also identified a $100,000 typo in intergovernmental revenue and corrected that figure on the record.
Human resources director Jody Mathis (speaker 14) outlined department-level items the budget will carry, including a proposed paid parental-leave policy (160 hours for adoption or birth, with an additional 80 hours for a birthing parent) and an anticipated $5,591 one-time increase to adopt a new applicant-tracking system (Workable) when the current contract expires.
Library director Amber Weil (speaker 12) said the library sees only a small net budget increase, mostly due to personnel costs, and reported she had requested increased county support.
Staff reviewed a public schedule of study sessions and hearings: study sessions on July 29, Aug. 3, Aug. 12 and Aug. 17, first reading of the budget ordinance on Sept. 8, and final reading on Sept. 20; the budget must be filed with the county auditor by Oct. 1. Council members were asked to review packet materials and forward questions to staff ahead of study sessions.
Michelle (speaker 2) told council the proposed property-tax figure represents roughly a 6.3% increase in the property-tax budget and that the change is driven primarily by the closure of two tax-increment financing districts (TIF 1 and TIF 4), whose taxable value is now returning to the rolls. "We would ask for $3,808,087," Michelle said, noting staff budgets property-tax collections at 95% to reflect historical nonpayment rates.
Staff presented a conservative 3% sales-tax increase projection, and noted several conditional revenue items: about $1.3 million in potential federal grant revenue tied to a project that may or may not move forward, and a tentative two-year state grant of roughly $70,000 for software. Michelle also identified a $100,000 typo in intergovernmental revenue and corrected that figure on the record.
Human resources director Jody Mathis (speaker 14) outlined department-level items the budget will carry, including a proposed paid parental-leave policy (160 hours for adoption or birth, with an additional 80 hours for a birthing parent) and an anticipated $5,591 one-time increase to adopt a new applicant-tracking system (Workable) when the current contract expires.
Library director Amber Weil (speaker 12) said the library sees only a small net budget increase, mostly due to personnel costs, and reported she had requested increased county support.
Staff reviewed a public schedule of study sessions and hearings: study sessions on July 29, Aug. 3, Aug. 12 and Aug. 17, first reading of the budget ordinance on Sept. 8, and final reading on Sept. 20; the budget must be filed with the county auditor by Oct. 1. Council members were asked to review packet materials and forward questions to staff ahead of study sessions.
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