STURGIS, S.D.(KBHB) – The Sturgis City Council after meeting in executive session voted to accept the petitions seeking to send a proposed flat track race to a public vote.
Upon accepting the petitions, the council voted 6 to 2 to send the matter to the April 9th municipal election ballot. Mayor Angela Wilkerson and Councilor Mike Bachand were the two no votes.
It’s an about face from the council who received criticism from citizens who were concerned about the nearly $3.3 million dollars the city would spend in a five year contract with AMA-Pro, American Flat Trackers and the Outerkind Agency. However, the city had hoped much of that money could be made up with sponsorship dollars.
The decision to send it to a public vote went against City Attorney Mark Marshall’s opinion that the resolution that authorizes the Council President to sign the host agreement with the three entities was not referable.
Councilor Aaron Jordan, however, felt the right thing to do was the have Sturgis residents decide.
AMA-Pro Racing, in collaboration with Outerkind and the City of Sturgis has been working since last September to stage the inaugural Spirit of Sturgis TT Race on Sunday, August 11, which is the last day of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.