The City Administrator is the chief administrative officer of the City, responsible to the Mayor for the administration of all City affairs placed in the City Administrator’s charge by Sturgis Municipal Code Title 7 and City resolutions. 

In April 2024, the citizens of Sturgis passed a referendum eliminating the City Manager from city government and this change has made revisions necessary to city ordinances, policies and procedures. 

Pursuant to South Dakota Codified Law, the chief executive officer of a municipality under the aldermanic form of government is the mayor; and appointive officers, such as a City Administrator, are appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council. Title 7 of the City of Sturgis Ordinances mirrors state law.

The Mayor is elected at large for a three-year term. The City Council is made up of nine members, comprised of the Mayor and eight aldermen.  Two aldermen are elected from each of the four wards for staggered, three-year terms.