STURGIS – Four council members and the mayor took the oath of office for the Sturgis City Council meeting Monday.

Although only two of the four Wards in Sturgis had candidates on the ballot at the April Municipal Election, all five of the individuals sworn in Monday fulfilled the election process.

Mark Chaplin and Terry Jensen won seats on the Sturgis City Council in the Sturgis Municipal Election held Tuesday, April 8.

Chaplin received 138 votes to 77 for David Murtha to win the Ward 3 council position. 

In the Ward 4 race, Jensen received 117 votes to 82 for Steve Shuck. 

Coming into this year’s election, there were open seats in each of the four Wards in the City of Sturgis and also for the position of mayor.

Alex Usera in Ward 1 and Tony Dargatz in Ward 2 were unopposed for those seats. Also unopposed was Mayor Kevin Forrester.

Title 9 of South Dakota law states that no election shall be held in any municipality, or ward thereof, wherein there is no question to be submitted to the voters or wherein there are no opposing candidates for an office. But those candidates, just as those who were on the ballot, are deemed “elected” to their position. 

The City of Sturgis holds municipal elections two out of every three years. Once elected, city council and mayoral terms are for three years.

The council also elected a new president, Tony Dargatz and a new vice president, Alex Usera at the meeting Monday.