STURGIS, S.D. – A couple of cases involving the city of Sturgis will be in front of the South Dakota Supreme Court on May 24.
The state’s high court has consolidated the two cases.
The first involves a petition brought forward by a group of citizens that asked for an election to decide whether or not Sturgis’ city manager form of government should be changed.
The city made the argument that a city manager form of government doesn’t exist in state law. Rather, the city argued they have an aldermanic form of government that employs a city manager. A circuit court judge agreed and an appeal has been sent to the high court.
The second case was brought by local Attorney Eric Davis, who says the city’s resolution to move forward with a new city manager is premature until the high court makes an opinion on the original case. Additionally, Davis says the city’s designated interim management team is not authorized and void.
The city passed the resolution following the departure of Daniel Ainslie, who resigned as Sturgis City Manager to become Finance Director in Rapid City.
