Sturgis City approved budget

Members of the Sturgis City Commission have approved the municipality’s 2012-13 fiscal year budget.

Featuring projected revenue of about $7.5 million and operating expenses close to $6.4 million, the budget represents an increase of about half a percent from 2011-12.

During Wednesday’s commission meeting, city manager Mike Hughes said the city has taken every step it can to keep expenses down. Such examples include staff reductions and benefit concessions.

Hughes said he suspects the local economy has reached its lowest point and signs show a slow but potential steady recovery.