STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis Council Monday night, after a lengthy executive session, decided to hold a special meeting next Monday to further discuss a resolution reaffirming city contracts and temporarily revising cit ordinance and policy.
Sturgis City Attorney Mark Marshall said the city needs to consider the potential transition of responsibilities in city government if the referendum to eliminate the position of city manager passes.
Marshall said it would involve a shift in responsibilities from the city manager to the mayor, ensuring the city continues to function effectively during this transition. He said this move shows the city has foresight and will be prepared whatever the outcome of the April 9 vote.
Marshall said the term “city manager” appears 181 times in city ordinances, and 157 times in the city’s policy and procedures manual. If the position is eliminated, there will be a gap because many responsibilities are currently assigned to the city manager.
Marshall proposes to temporarily assign the city manager’s responsibilities to the mayor, who will act as the city’s chief executive officer. And, for the council to reaffirm all contracts signed by the city manager.
Marshall described the plan as a stop-gap measure, meaning it’s a temporary solution to provide for a smooth and seamless transition from a City Government with a City Manager to City Government without a City Manager.
See the Resolution dealing with City Ordinances here: A RESOLUTION REPALCING THE TERM “CITY MANAGER” IN CITY ORDINANCE, POLICY, AND RESOLUTIONS WITH THE TERM “MAYOR”
See the Resolution Reaffirming Contracts Signed by the City Manager here: A RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING CONTRACTS SIGNED BY THE CITY MANAGER
