Amid a budget crunch, a change in government format, and multiple resignations in city hall, the city of Sturgis faces a challenging year ahead.
Sturgis faces many changes as it looks towards the upcoming year. A close vote divided the community regarding its longstanding city manager position earlier this year which ultimately ended in the removal of the role. Additionally, the city faces a 10% budget shortfall.
That tightened budget is, among other things, attributed to local sales taxes trending lower than they had in previous years.
That led to a tense public comment session, with residents questioning the values of the council and some openly calling for resignations of the mayor.
That includes Bryce Flint, a resident who argued the city council lacks oversight following the removal of the local city manager position.
“I previously told the council I thought each of you that had been elected by the people had the best interest of the city at heart," Flint said. "I retract any hint that might include those persons not elected by the people. Some of you not elected by the people appear to many of us in this city to be trying to destroy the city.
From there, Flint proceeded to levy multiple attacks on Sturgis Mayor Angela Wilkerson. Namely, a short open letter from the mayors’ office to the public where Wilkerson committed to creating a more inclusive and open work environment.
The letter addresses resignations because of a quote “hostile and oppressive work environment.” That letter can be found here. While Flint suggests the mayor was passing the buck on the problem, Wilkerson said it was simply an act of accountability to the public.
“The letter you are referring to that I put out was addressing resignations, staff resignations, and that’s all it was concerning," Wilkerson said. "I didn’t feel it was my place to go into any detail in a letter like that. It was to put a response to the comments, not specifically to you.”
Wilkerson said she’s confident in her support among her peers on council despite the tensions present in the community.