STURGIS – The Sturgis City Council will hear an update on the city’s finances, consider a resolution establishing municipal utility rates for 2024, as well as consider liquor and wine license renewal applications at its meeting Monday, Nov. 6.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Sturgis City Hall, 1040 Harley-Davidson Way. Those planning to attend the meeting should come to the Sherman Street entrance. 

Each quarter, Sturgis Finance Officer Fay Bueno gives a financial update to the Council. This update includes comparison of general fund revenue and expenses; cash balances; cash, loans, and CD comparisons; expenses and revenues for major funds. 

At the end of September, the city’s general fund revenue is up 10% over 2022. The city’s general fund expenses are up 2% over 2022, Bueno said. 

One of the bright spots in revenue has and continues to be the sale of aviation fuel at Sturgis Municipal Airport. As of the end of September, fuel sales are up 32% over a year ago. 

The city included figures for some increases in utility rates when it passed the 2024 budget last month. Bueno will talk more in-depth about the utility rates at the meeting Monday.

Bueno said the water, wastewater and sanitation base rates will increase by 5% on residents’ January bill. She said the increase will help fund the increasing operational costs of the utilities. 

Also, the city’s wastewater facility surcharge will go up 6.7%, from $15.79 to $16.85. All other surcharges will stay the same, Bueno said. 

Also at the meeting Monday, the council will consider the renewal of liquor and wine licenses within the city limits of Sturgis. These licenses are valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024. Being considered for renewal are two off-sale liquor licenses (Sturgis Liquor Store and Sturgis Liquor Annex); nine on-sale Liquor licenses and 16 on/off sale wine licenses.

The Sturgis City Council will also consider a proposal for professional services from Simpson & Associates to provide a "Yellow Book appraisal" for various city properties and approve the payment of a retainer to do the work. The city is considering selling some parcels of land it owns, but must first get an appraisal on those parcels.

The city is required to use the Yellow Book appraisal process because the sale of the city’s properties involves the conversion of Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) land. 

You can find the agenda here: City Council - Nov 06 2023 - Agenda - Pdf (civicweb.net)