Sturgis Commission advances recycling ordinance for first reading, seeking resident feedback

The Sturgis City Commission advanced a proposed recycling ordinance that would make curbside recycling a city utility service, with the first reading set for the commission’s next regular meeting on Wednesday, October 22 at 6 p.m.

During the city’s regular business meeting Wednesday night, City Manager Andrew Kuk reviewed the city’s options and recapped prior discussions from the September 24 meeting. He presented an ordinance drafted by City Attorney T.J. Reed, which would establish curbside recycling as a utility service with a user fee added to resident utility bills. If adopted, recycling would no longer be optional, and residents would pay about $96 per year, up from the current $25 annual charge.

Kuk noted the $96 figure is tentative, depending on whether the city enters into a one-year or three-year contract with Borden Waste Management Services. While commissioners expressed concern about locking into a three-year deal for a service they nearly discontinued earlier this year, Kuk said a longer contract could slightly reduce the per-household cost.

The commission decided not to pursue a referendum vote, which would have likely appeared on the August 2026 state election ballot to avoid additional local election costs. Instead, commissioners opted to seek public feedback during the upcoming first and second readings of the ordinance.

“We will hear in a year’s time from residents,” Miller said. “If there are five or more torches or pitchforks outside the city commission from January 1 to December 31 next year, I will seriously reconsider my support of the recycling program. […] We’re going to see the feedback that we get. We’re going to be able to make a decision accordingly.”

City Attorney T.J. Reed told commissioners that a referendum would bind the city to a stricter, harder-to-revise contract, while adopting an ordinance would allow the commission to adjust terms later.

“It gives the commission flexibility at a later date,” Reed said. “If you pass it, you can then have deliberations — whether you want a one-year, two-year, or three-year contract.”

Reed added that if recycling were mandated by voter referendum, the city would have little room to respond to changes in costs. Reed presented a hypothetical scenario in which Borden doubled its rates, explaining that under a voter-approved mandate, the city would be locked into the program and residents would have to pay those higher prices. For that reason, Reed advised the commission to proceed by ordinance if it wished to continue the recycling program.

Commissioner Marvin Smith moved to let the current Borden contract expire at year’s end and place the recycling question on the August ballot, a motion seconded by Commissioner Linda Harrington.

“I’m not going to tax the people without their input,” Smith said, adding that although the proposal is framed as a utility fee, he believes many residents will view it as an additional tax.

The motion failed 6–2, with Smith and Mayor Frank Perez voting in favor. Commissioners Wickey, Miller, Mullins, Abbs, Harrington, and Burr opposed. Commissioner Dan Boring was absent.

The ordinance draft does not specify a contract term, meaning the commission must determine that length as the process continues.

Commissioner Jeff Mullins then moved to schedule the ordinance for a first reading on October 22, seconded by Commissioner Aaron Miller. The motion passed 6–2, with Smith and Perez opposed.

With Borden’s current contract expiring December 31, the city’s timeline is tight — just enough for two readings before the ordinance could take effect. Any delays could risk a lapse in recycling service.

Kuk also cautioned that if the city does not maintain a contract with Borden, the company would likely pull all of its services from Sturgis — including trash — since the city sits on the edge of its service area.

“The City of Sturgis recognizes the importance of responsible waste management and the environmental benefits of recycling,” the proposed ordinance states.

Other items

In other business, the commission approved payment of city bills totaling $3,047,449.10 and accepted a property transfer request from Metalloid Corporation, moving a parcel at 69669 White St. from Sturgis Township into the city under an Act 425 conditional land transfer agreement. Commissioners also approved a $590,000 bid from Allied Mechanical Services for replacement of the mechanism in Wastewater Treatment Plant Primary Clarifier No. 2, a project that came in under the city’s $600,000 capital allocation.

Additionally, the commission approved a $53,983 contract with Constantine Flooring Center for new floor coating in the Fire Department apparatus bay, and authorized up to $55,000 for a removable orchestra pit cover at the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. The commission also appointed Nicole Stewart to the Sturgis Housing Commission to fill the resident member seat.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.