STURGIS – The Sturgis City Council has voted to continue with the employment of a City Manager.

The council discussed the merits of both a city manager and a city administrator and in the end, voted 8-1 to continue with the employment of a city manager.

“The City of Sturgis has operated with and without a city manager in the past. We believe that the employment of a city manager has paid incredible dividends for our community,” Mayor Mark Carstensen said. 

The Sturgis City Council and mayor were faced with determining the best path forward in light of the recent announcement by Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie that he will be taking a new job as Director of Finance for the City of Rapid City. His last day will be April 7.

The affirmation of the employment of a city manager came in the form of a resolution which was composed during a recess following public discussion on the matter Tuesday night. 

The council then voted on the resolution. Council members voting in favor included Beka Zerbst, Angela Wilkerson, Mike Bachand, Mayor Mark Carstensen, Dean Sigman, Preston Williams, Kevin Forrester and Aaron Jordan. Voting against was Tony Dargatz. 

Currently in South Dakota there are 32 cities with city administrators and six cities with city managers. In addition to Sturgis, the communities of Aberdeen, Brookings, Vermillion, Watertown and Yankton all have city managers, according to the South Dakota Municipal League. 

“Sturgis is unique in that we are the only community among those with a city manager that hosts a single event that draws nearly a half million people to the region each year. That takes incredible preparation and leadership which we believe a city manager can provide,” Carstensen said.

Sturgis City Attorney Mark Marshall told the council that by state law the resolution is referrable to a vote of the citizens of Sturgis and a referendum petition must be filed with the city finance officer within 20 days after publication of the resolution.

Also at the Tuesday night meeting, the City Council appointed an interim management team to fill the void when Ainslie leaves. Members of the transition team will include Carstensen, councilor Forrester, councilor Bachand, Sturgis Finance Director Fay Bueno, Sturgis Director of Administrative Services Lisa Katzenstein, Public Works Director Rick Bush, Police Chief Geody VanDewater, City Attorney Mark Marshal and Director of Communications Deb Holland.

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