STURGIS – Mike Bachand, who has served on the Sturgis City Council for the past 11 years, resigned from the council effective immediately at the start of the city council meeting on Monday.
Bachand would have been up for reelection in 2025.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had while working with our city and our staff,” he said in his resignation letter.
Bachand added that he has faithfully represented the residents of Ward 1, the city’s general population, and the retail businesses to the best of his ability.
“Over the duration of my tenure, we the city leadership have endured many adversities, but we have always met the challenges presented to us,” he said. “My greatest concern is for the remaining full-time staff.”
Bachand went on to say that to his dismay, many valuable full-time staff members have left the city’s employment within the last year.
“As the city moves forward, and workloads continue to increase, the city will surely lose more personnel. But we are nearing the critical point of being unable to sustain our city’s workload requirements,” he said.
Bachand said he apologized for any inconvenience this may cause to the city’s remaining staff.
“I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition, and I am available to assist in any way possible during this trying period,” he said.
Bachand, who was born and raised in Meade County, has been active in the Sturgis community where he owned the Camel Tent Corner which began in the mid-1980’s, on the corner of 4th and Main Street, which helped start the downtown Rally expansion.
He has also been active in the Meade County Extension Program and Farm Service Agency helping promote farming and ranching in rural Sturgis.
