The Sturgis City Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, December 19th to consider changing when Commission members are elected. The discussion comes following the passage of legislation by the State of Michigan allowing municipalities to change their election date to reduce the number of elections.

The legislation allows for cities that currently elect their councils or commissions in odd-numbered years, as the City of Sturgis does, to move these elections to even-numbered years, when either gubernatorial or presidential elections occur.

One benefit of this change would be the elimination of a regular election every other year. Currently the Sturgis City Commission holds elections for its members in November of odd-numbered years. By moving the City Commission election to November of even-numbered years this would save the costs of an additional election, typically around $5,000.

Due to the wording of the legislation, the City Commission is expediting consideration of this change so a decision can be made prior to the end of the year. The legislation requires that any change in the election cycle would take place in the calendar year following the adoption of a change by the City Commission. Therefore, in order for the change to be effective for 2013, when the next City Commission election is scheduled, action would need to be taken by December 31, 2012.

If approved by that date, according to state election law the current City Commission members would receive an extra year on their term of office. Commissioners up for election in 2013 would be on the ballot in 2014, those up for election in 2015 would be on the ballot in 2016.

The public hearing on this issue will be held during the regular City Commission meeting on Wednesday, December 19th. The Commission meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Wiesloch Raum of Sturgis City Hall, located at 130 N. Nottawa. Time will be made available during the public hearing for public comment. Commission action on the issue is expected to take place immediately following the public hearing.