Spearfish Strategic Planning
Since 1900, Spearfish has experienced an average of 2.4% growth per year. This is a significantly larger growth rate than many communities within South Dakota.
Recognizing the need for systems that would ensure this growth is well managed and sustainable, in 2015 the City began the process of developing the Spearfish Strategic Plan. Already equipped with the 2011 Comprehensive Plan for the City (the long-term framework for the future of the City), the Council and I recognized the need for the creation of a set of short-term actionable steps governed by a set of guidelines that incorporated the perspectives and values currently held by Spearfish area residents. The creation of this 5-year action plan would ensure that when community leaders are tasked with making decisions that affect us all, they can do so with an awareness of the priorities and values common to our entire community.
Over the course of the last 12 months, 15 different public focus groups were held, and Spearfish area residents were invited to participate and provide input on the many different aspects of our community that were important to them. Over 2000 comments were received from representatives of churches, businesses, educators, civic groups, youth, seniors, and other segments within the community. Participants engaged in open discussions with city personnel and our strategic planning consultant Susan Constant to identify the values and priorities that our people hold regarding this community and our movement forward.
Through these discussions, a definition for the preferred future of Spearfish was identified:
“Spearfish is a safe and welcoming community which ensures quality of life by engaging its citizens; preserving its beauty and heritage; and fostering education, the arts, and economic and cultural diversity.”
In order to achieve this preferred future, a framework of five key pillars was identified for the leadership of Spearfish to use when evaluating community decisions, organizing community initiatives and managing city resources.
- Balanced Growth & Business Partnerships
- Fiscal & Resource Management
- Lifelong Learning & Leadership
- Quality of Life
- Sense of Community
By engaging Spearfish area residents in the creation of this Spearfish Strategic plan, and implementing systems of regular review by the community members, not only do we ensure that our movement forward is governed and guided by our common core values, but is flexible and adaptable for future residents to have a voice of input and guidance for our city’s management for generations to come.
I want to thank all those throughout the community and surrounding area that participated in this planning process. This was truly a community collaborative effort!
Download the Approved 2016 - 2020 Spearfish Strategic Plan [10MB]