Pig farm may join the city

Mathis Winkler

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002 | 9:55 a.m.

North Las Vegas may get a pig farm within its city limits.

Robert Combs, who raises about 6,000 pigs on unincorporated land in the middle of the city, has long fought annexation attempts. But on Wednesday, Combs for the first time said he would be willing to talk with city officials about the issue.

"I wouldn't rule out" agreeing to annexation, Combs said. "But I want to stay in business."

Because he already pays about $50,000 in property taxes per year, he said he worries about the additional $13,000 he would have to pay as a city resident.

Another concern the farmer had was losing his right to operate in the first place. But city officials said Combs would be able to continue his farm operations.

The annexation issue has come up again because a new state law allows cities to forcefully annex undeveloped land as long as the city surrounds at least 75 percent of it.

While Combs' pig farm would not be eligible since it contains the family's home and other buildings, the city could annex other parts of his 160-acre property that remain undeveloped.

City Council members, who discussed the possibility on Wednesday, said they would rather get permission from Combs and other property owners than force annexation.

"If approached correctly, I'm not sure the Combs (family) would oppose" annexation, Mayor Michael Montandon said.

City officials are also proposing the annexation of 1,331 acres of industrial land at the eastern edge of town.