By Dennis Volkert
At its meeting Feb. 12, Sturgis City Commission chose an “opt-in” for Michigan Energy Assistance Program, a law passed in December 2024.
That statewide measure is an updated version of the 2013 Public Act 95, which created an energy-assistance fund for those in low-income situations.
Under the new MEAP law, a city had two options, each requiring funding for the energy assistance program for residential customers, either by selecting the state’s program (“opt-in”) or establishing a local program (“opt-out”).
Several commissioners suggested selection of the state program would require less administrative attention locally.
Chris McArthur, superintendent of the city’s electric department, outlined specifics.
Under the 2013 version of the law, funds were generated for the state-run low-income energy assistance fund by assessing up to $1 per month per electric meter.
Monday was distributed to low-income households by Department of Human Services to help pay energy bills. The act affected every electric utility in the state.
In lieu of collecting the surcharge, Section 7 of the Act allowed utilities to opt-out, but if they did so it prohibited them from shutting off residential electric service for non-payment of a delinquent account in the span of Nov. 1-April 15.
Since establishment of the law, the city of Sturgis had chosen “opt-out.”
Requirements for the opt-in:
Reply to Michigan Municipal Electric Association’s annual email with our opt-in status and provide your total number of billing meters.
Michigan Public Service Commission sets the funding factor. It could increase to $1.25 and may continue to increase by not more than 25 cents annually thereafter, with a cap of $2.
Beginning in 2029, the commission must adjust the cap by the percentage increase in the United States Consumer Price Index for the preceding calendar year.
Utility must submit money to the state treasurer for deposit in the fund, monthly, no later than 30 days after the last date in each calendar month. The energy assistance funding factor must be a separate line item on each customer’s bill.
Additional measures were considered and approved by city commissioners at the meeting.
The board approved purchase of an Exmark 144 wide-area zero-turn mower, from Steensma Lawn & Power Equipment, for $67,494. The city’s categorical budget for such a purchase previously was set at $68,000.
Tom Sikorski, director of public services, said city staff has evaluated sustainability of continuing to contract greenspace mowing, vs. upkeep of additional properties in-house.
In summer 2024, staff members tested several mower types, at Franks Park and Spence Field. With the selected unit, they were able to mow Spence Complex in under one hour and Franks Park in under two hours, Sikorski told the board. That typically requires a combined three mowers and three hours, he said. Having the Exmark unit could reduce work time by about 80 hours throughout a season, he said, making it a more efficient approach.
Vice mayor Richard Bir cast the only “nay” vote. Based on his experience with groundskeeping contractors, he questioned the effectiveness of the model, and has some doubt its expense and quality is a significant advantage compared to reduction in work time.
“It would be cheaper to get a couple of other mowers,” Bir said.
Commissioners also OK’d replacement of three city vehicles in a lease agreement through Enterprise Fleet Management.
The board accepted appointments of Amy Hackman to the cemetery board, and Aaron Miller to the EDC/BRA board.
