As the City of Sturgis prepares for the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, officials are tightening the budget, cutting $1.5 million to reach a $10.5 million city budget for 2025. A major portion of those cuts—$600,000—came from rally-related expenses, including event programming and personnel.
Despite the reductions, Mayor Kevin Forrester assured the public that the rally will remain “clean and safe,” predicting it could still be “the best rally ever.”
The city also froze spending in May 2024, eliminated three full-time positions, restricted overtime, and trimmed department budgets. City Administrator Aaron Jordan said the changes reflect a shift in focus toward core municipal responsibilities like public safety, law enforcement, and infrastructure maintenance.
Sturgis officials are now monitoring summer sales tax revenue to help shape the 2026 budget. While the city has built a modest cash reserve, Forrester acknowledged, “We’re living paycheck to paycheck” as they work toward long-term financial stability.
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