The City of Sturgis is governed under the Aldermanic/Manager form of government. The Mayor is elected at-large for a two-year term. Two aldermen are elected from each of the four wards for staggered, two-year terms.

Since 2007, the City has employed a City Manager who is chief administrative officer of the City and serves at the pleasure of the City Council. The City Manager works in cooperation with the heads of the various City departments to ensure the public is being provided with the services that it needs and wants. The City Manager is available to all City employees to offer guidance and to provide assistance in solving problems.

It is the responsibility of the City Manager to:

• Enforce all laws and ordinances
• Supervise the administration of City affairs
• Attend all Council meetings
• Make recommendations to the City Council concerning City operations
• Advise the City Council of the financial condition of the City and future needs of the City
• Prepare an annual budget
• Assure compliance with contracts by those doing business with the City
• Prepare proposed ordinances and resolutions for the Council
• Carry out all other duties prescribed by ordinance or resolution of the Council
• Coordinate major city projects and initiatives

The City Manager's office is the central focus for all City services and includes the City Manager, the Executive Assistant to the City Manager and additional part-time research staff as required to meet the responsibilities of this office.

The personnel who comprise this department play a vital role for the City of Sturgis by acting as a link between the public and all City employees. This department is responsible for public relations, along with a multitude of other administrative duties. Included in these other duties are the handling of personnel functions necessary to keep the City operating smoothly. This department is also in charge of receiving and dealing with many of the concerns that various citizens and groups may bring forth. While this department hears and deals with many of the concerns of the public and employees, it also receives many of the praises for the outstanding services that the City of Sturgis provides to the Community by the various City departments.