(STURGIS) – The City of Sturgis has a millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year, which is lower than what had originally been presented.

During Wednesday’s meeting the Sturgis City Commission held a public hearing on the operating millage rate for the City and for the street and sidewalk millage. City Clerk Ken Rhodes presented the millage rate at 11.6689 mills for the operating millage. That’s the highest rate the City can present without a vote of the electorate, and slightly lower than the 2023 millage.

In addition, Rhodes presented the street and sidewalk millage at 2.9967 mills, slightly lower than 2023.

A motion to approve the millages was defeated by a vote of 4-3. Mayor Frank Perez, who cast one of the No votes, explains why he voted that way. ...... {LISTEN}.

That prompted comments from Commissioners Bob Hile and Rick Bir. ...... {LISTEN}.

After some more discussion, the Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the street and sidewalk millage at 2.9967 mills in a stand alone motion.

More discussion followed with a motion to set the operating millage at 11.08 mills. That passed by a 5-2 vote.

Rhodes says at the proposed rate of 11.6689 mills, one mill would generate $300,000 for the City. With the new rate of 11.08 mills, one mill would generate just over $176,000.

The Commission is scheduled to have a budget workshop on July 16.