Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lynd council reviews utility-billing proposals, hears department reports and approves permits; 2025 budget proposal includes 6% levy increase
Summary
At its July 16 meeting the Lynd City Council reviewed competing utility-billing proposals from GWorks and Banyon, received departmental reports (fire and sheriff), approved two building permits (one by a 4–1 vote), and reviewed a proposed 2025 budget that includes a 6% levy increase.
The Lynd City Council on July 16 reviewed multiple administrative and operational items, including utility-billing software proposals, departmental reports, and building permits, and accepted a proposed 2025 budget for council review that includes a recommended 6% levy increase.
City Clerk Sue Paradis told the council the May water-loss ratio was 8 percent: the city billed residents for 547,084 gallons while LPRW billed the city for 597,000 gallons. She also reported receipt of a PNP reimbursement of $898.34.
On utility-billing systems, Paradis said the city’s current Softline product support and product live status for GWorks will end Dec. 31, 2024, with extended support ending March 31, 2025. She presented a GWorks annual-cost proposal totaling $3,618 (utility billing $1,500; website builder $1,200; Front Desk public users $630; public notices $288). The Banyon proposal showed a first-year total of $6,101.75 (utility-billing $4,376.75; support $1,150; conversion $325; training $250; after a discount of $978.25). The transcript records presentation of both proposals but no final procurement decision at this meeting.
Departmental updates: Fire Chief Dillon Schultz reported one structure fire response, several false alarms at the school, six personnel attending Blue Fire training and an equipment issue (a truck generator failure) that staff will refer to insurance. Lyon County Sheriff Eric Wallin presented the June 2024 incident analysis report; both reports were approved by the council.
On permits, the council approved a building permit for Corey Prins on a 4–1 vote: Mayor Justin Guggisberg moved, Councilman David Reaves seconded, and Councilman Jerry Sodemann recorded the lone vote against. A separate permit for Riley Swanson was approved unanimously.
Budget: Sue Paradis presented the proposed 2025 budget for council review, which includes a 6% levy increase. The council was reminded that the proposed budget and levy must be submitted to the County Auditor/Treasurer on or before Sept. 30.
Other business included committee assignments and brief grant updates: the city received $1,541.94 from the Safe Routes to School Boost Grant for literature and bike bottles and the MPCA Local Climate Action Grant application remains pending. The council adjourned without further action.
Votes at a glance - Approval of June 18, 2024 minutes: approved unanimously. - Agenda with additions: approved unanimously. - Fire report: approved unanimously. - Sheriff’s report (June 2024): approved unanimously. - Public Works report (pond repairs): approved unanimously. - Accounts payable (July 2024): approved unanimously. - Financial report (June 2024): approved unanimously. - Clerk’s report (including GWorks/Banyon presentations): approved unanimously. - Corey Prins building permit: approved 4–1 (Jerry Sodemann opposed). - Riley Swanson building permit: approved unanimously. - Adjournment: approved unanimously.
Next steps: the council did not take a procurement vote on utility-billing software at this meeting; staff will follow up on procurement and implementation timelines if the council later selects a vendor.
