CommunityLink
Sturgis, MI
Government"For The People"
Sturgis is an engaging town of 12,000 people located in St. Joseph County, which has a population of approximately 62,000.
Sturgis’ government operates with a city manager system. The voters elect nine commissioners: two from each of the four precincts and one at large. Following the election, the commissioners select, from among themselves, a mayor and vice-mayor. The city manager, engineer, meter departments and other official departments’ offices are located in the City Hall-Library Complex.
Sturgis operates its own water and sewer systems along with an electric system, with power purchased from Indiana-Michigan Power.
Many efforts to improve the look of Sturgis are conducted by city departments such as the Parks and Forestry Department. New trees, shrubs and flowers are planted around the city annually in a continual process to beautify Sturgis’ neighborhoods. The city also sponsors a citywide brush pick-up the first of each month during the spring through autumn seasons. Sturgis owns its own compost site where residents of the city proper can take their brush, leaves, grass and trees. The refuse is chopped and mulched then left to decay into fine soil, which is given free to city residents who wish to take it.
The city also sponsors an annual citywide collection of large junk items such as appliances and furniture. Volunteers pick up the trash, and the city disposes of it. These services help city residents to keep their homes and property clean in accordance with city ordinances.
The “Sturgis Wire,” the city newsletter, is sent out to all city residents on a quarterly basis. The newsletter is filled with information about the city, such as reminders of special events, hours that the compost site is open, dates of the brush and trash pick-up, and so forth. Also posted in the “Wire” are reminders about laws concerning burning, responsibilities toward pets, parking, curfew, disturbing the peace and so on. Ordinances in Sturgis were designed to protect the city’s residents and help to make the city clean and safe.
Sturgis has a full-time police force with 19 officers who are part of Central Dispatch Emergency 911. Among the outreach programs that the Sturgis Police Force is involved in are the D.A.R.E. program, Bicycle Patrol and the Bicycle Rodeo for young people. The Bicycle Rodeo is a
program used to teach bicycle safety rules; it includes a helmet giveaway. Sturgis police also have an anonymous crime hotline that offers rewards for pertinent information. Sturgis has a “zero tolerance” drug enforcement policy that is strictly followed.
The Sturgis Fire Department is second to none in skill and achievement. The 21 full-time and 17 part-time firefighters are adept at using all of their specialized, state-of-the-art rescue and extrication equipment, all of which is beautifully maintained. Sturgis firefighters provide quick response to more than 1,500 calls annually. Sturgis has a Class 6 ISO rating that keeps property insurance rates low.
Both the fire and police departments are located on North Nottawa Street.
