Months of tension on the Sturgis City Commission finally spilled into full public view this week, as City Manager Andrew Kuk’s resignation turned a routine meeting into a political brawl. Commissioners and residents packed into the Wiesloch Raum last Wednesday for a work session and regular meeting that spiraled into sharp debate over who should lead City Hall next. A failed move to censure Mayor Frank Perez only highlighted how divided the board has become.
Commission Wrestles With Vacancy, Hiring Strategy
During last Wednesday's work session, commissioners started out by talking about the process: how to launch the search for a new city manager and whether to fill the seat vacated by Commissioner Linda Harrington before the November election, according to the Sturgis Journal. City staff said they would return at the next meeting for formal direction and walked through possible hiring timelines. What might have been a dry discussion on staffing quickly turned into a broader fight over trust, timing, and how the commission conducts its business.
City Manager’s Resignation Splits The Board
According to Fox Sports Sturgis, Kuk submitted his resignation in late April, and the commission later approved a separation agreement on a 6-2 vote. He is expected to remain on the job through July 24. The outlet reported that Kuk stepped into the city manager role in April 2023 after nearly 15 years in municipal positions. The vote to accept his departure was anything but unanimous, with Commissioners Jeff Mullins and Aaron Miller opposed.
Censure Bid Fails As Calls For Outside Review Intensify
The meeting turned even more heated when Commissioner Aaron Miller introduced a series of motions, including a request for an outside legal review and a resolution to censure Mayor Perez. Both measures failed in a 4-3 vote, according to WTHD. Miller argued that his proposals were meant to address potential violations of Michigan law and commission procedures. Opponents countered that his resolutions were divisive and premature. The commission also declined to go into closed session to talk about next steps, leaving without a clear, public plan for how to move forward.
Residents Pack Chambers, Demand Answers
The crowd that filled the chambers did not hold back. Many residents pressed commissioners to explain why Kuk was leaving and warned that visible dysfunction at City Hall could scare off strong candidates for the permanent city manager job, as reported by WTVB. Critics accused a group of commissioners of driving out a well-regarded administrator. Supporters of the resignation vote insisted it created space for new leadership. Mayor Perez responded by calling for transparency and saying he intended to keep his focus on the city’s priorities despite the turmoil.
Vacant Commission Seat Looms Over Next Moves
Complicating everything is the empty chair left by Commissioner Linda Harrington, who announced her departure in late April. City policy generally calls for appointing a replacement within about 20 days when feasible, officials told Wilcox Newspapers. Commissioners said they would consider whether to appoint someone in the near term or leave the decision to voters in November. Staff is expected to bring back a recommendation at an upcoming meeting, and that choice could shape the commission’s balance in the months ahead.
Turnover At The Top Raises Stakes For Manager Search
Kuk and Harrington are not the only ones heading for the exits. Radio coverage reported that the city attorney is scheduled to step down at the end of May, a change that adds more urgency to the commission’s decisions, according to KOTA. Multiple local outlets have cautioned that the wave of departures and a very public rift on the commission could slow city projects and make it tougher to recruit a permanent manager, per Watershed Voice. For now, the commission is under pressure to settle on a short-term plan while beginning the search for long-term leadership.
