STURGIS – An update on the Sturgis Adventure Park, consideration for a use on review for Sturgis Meats and a request to increase the city’s wastewater surcharge are among the items on the agenda at the Sturgis City Council meeting Monday.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Sturgis City Hall, 1040 Harley-Davidson Way.

The council had considered making a decision on one of the three design options for the Sturgis Adventure Park, but members of the council have decided to gather more information before doing so. Mayor Mark Carstensen will give an update on the status of the project.

Also at the meeting Monday, the council will discuss campers at Sturgis Meat Service. In 2018, the then owner of Sturgis Meat Service, the Gapps, were given permission by Planning Commission and council for temporary office structure for no more than 3 years to allow them to expand to the existing business with office space. Recently, nine landowner permission forms went out and one was returned with denial due to condition of campers on the property and already not meeting codes. 

The Planning Commission board recommended approval of 90-day camper use to build a fence in the back of the building and/or secure garbage and for the owner to check USDA for regulations. The council must now consider how to proceed. 

In other action, the city will consider a change in the waste water surcharge.

The city’s finance for the Waste Water Treatment Plant requires the city to annually collect 10% more than the loan payment via the project surcharge to keep in reserves. 

In 2022, the city collected slightly under 9%. The surcharge in 2022 was $16.05. 

Sturgis Finance Officer Fay Bueno said she does not believe the 9% reserve will be a major issue with the loan/auditors for 2022 as it was the first year, but the city is required to make the full loan payment. 

However, in 2023, the surcharge was lowered again to $15.79. Even with housing growth, Bueno does not believe that the city will even collect 9% for the reserve this year. Therefore, an adjustment to the surcharge will be required. 

Bueno said she has talked with the Public Works Director and both are comfortable with lowering the operational fee by the amount necessary to increase the surcharge. 

Based on current account numbers, Bueno recommends that the surcharge be raised to $16.90 for the remainder or 2023. She anticipates that this will collect approximately 111% of the required amount. This is done via resolution. The Legal & Finance Committee of the council was comfortable with the proposal.

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