The Government Operations Committee voted to engage the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) to provide consultant services for the City of St. Charles’ multi‑year enterprise resource planning (ERP) replacement project.

Larry (presenter) said the city’s current on‑premises Infor/Lawson system lacks fund‑accounting support and vendor support will end after 2030, creating urgency to begin replacement work now. “So the way it's set right now, the ERP would be ... we’re proposing likely to have $2,900,000 in our fiscal 20 27 budget for software purchase and implementation,” Larry said.

Mike Muja, deputy executive director at GFOA, described the organization’s proposed scope: a roughly year‑long engagement to map existing business processes, identify requirements, craft an RFP, assist with vendor evaluation and help develop contract terms and a statement of work that holds vendors and staff accountable. “Our approach works to define a vision for those administrative processes first, identify specifically what the city will need to be successful, define that success and then work to help the city implement that going forward through a competitive procurement process,” Muja told the committee.

Council members raised questions about the $2.9 million estimate, where the funds would come from (Larry said about 60% enterprise funds and 40% capital funds) and potential internal cost savings. Staff and GFOA argued that outside expertise is necessary to gain objectivity and reduce later change‑order risk; one councilor called the ERP project “mission critical.”

The committee approved the recommendation to retain GFOA and begin the consultant‑led assessment and RFP process; staff said they will provide updates during implementation.