STURGIS - The Sturgis City Council will hear reports on the July and August sales and BBB sales taxes, will consider setting a public hearing to receive comment regarding the proposal to shift the municipal election from April to June, and will consider the renewal of two medical cannabis dispensary licenses at its meeting Monday, Oct. 16.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Sturgis City Hall, 1040 Harley-Davidson Way. Those who want to attend the meeting should use this Sherman Street entrance. 

The city reports that general 2% sales tax sales in the month of July 2023 in Sturgis were 0.16% higher than July of 2022. And general 2% sales tax sales in the month of August 2023 were 14.23% higher than August of 2022.

According to Sturgis City Finance Officer Fay Bueno, the current trend for collection of the city’s 2% sales tax would provide a surplus in the city’s general fund of $27,584.46 in 2023.

For the month of July 2023, the city’s BBB or tourism related sales were 3.48% higher than July of 2022. For the month of August 2023, tourism related sales were 6.61% higher than August of 2022.

Bueno said the current trend would provide a surplus in the BBB (Tourism) Fund of $37,371.61 in 2023.

Title 20 of the Sturgis City Ordinance authorizes the city to collect a 2% sales tax on most items and services purchased in the City of Sturgis. As an example, when an individual purchases $100 worth of groceries in Sturgis, a total of $6.50 (6.5%) in sales tax is added to the bill. The sales tax is divided as follows: $4.50 is sent to the State of South Dakota, $1 is deposited into the City’s General Fund, 10 cents goes into the Equipment Replacement Fund, and 90 cents goes into the city’s Capital Improvement Fund.

Also on the agenda Monday, the city council will consider switching the municipal election from April to June. The council will be asked to set a public hearing to receive public comment regarding the proposal to shift the municipal election to June. 

For many years, the City of Sturgis has held municipal elections on the second Tuesday of April. Recently, there has been discussion about moving the election from this April date to the first Tuesday, after the first Monday, in June which would coincide with other elections held in June in hopes of increasing voter turnout. 

The council will also be asked to consider renewing medical cannabis dispensary licenses for Puffy’s, 1137 Main St., Sturgis, and Northern Hills Alternative Health, 2715 Lazelle St., Sturgis. The cost for renewal of each is $7,500.

The agenda for the meeting can be found here: City Council - Oct 16 2023 - Agenda - Pdf (civicweb.net)

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