STURGIS, S.D. – Sturgis Public Works Director Rick Bush, and Police Chief Geody VanDewater, who have served on the mayor’s executive administrative team since May, have resigned from their roles on the team.
The two expressed their desire to focus on their departments’ vital roles during these challenging times.
After the departure of Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie in April of 2023, the city operated with a six-member transition team. Then, when voters approved a change in the form of government for the city of Sturgis in May, the transition team was pared down to three embers, at council direction, which included Bush, VanDewater and former Director of Administrative Services Lisa Katzenstein.
Katzenstein resigned from the City in September. Bush and VanDewater remained on the administrative team.
The mayor hopes to hire a city administrator in early 2025, but until then, will continue to serve as the city’s chief executive officer.
Currently in South Dakota there are 32 cities with city administrators according to the South Dakota Municipal League.
