Sturgis City Council setting up how the city governs going forward

STURGIS, S.D.(KBHB) – Sturgis City Council members passed first reading of Ordinance 2023-3 or Title 7 at their Monday night meeting.

The revised Ordinance deals with how city government operates.

The City Manager/Title 7 Subcommittee has been meeting for the past year to consider changes. The subcommittee was formed following some citizen concerns on the amount of power granted the city manager.

Mayor Mark Carstensen said the city wants to better clarify the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and city staff specifically when it comes to appointments to committees and boards.

Staff Attorney Eric Miller says one of the main goals of the revised ordinance is to reallocate the authority to make appointments to city subcommittees from the City Manager to the Mayor who would act with the advice and consent of the Sturgis Common Council.

Second and final reading of the ordinance is expected to take place at the council’s April third meeting.