Iowa council approves Tyler Technologies MyCivic app contract despite split vote

The Town of Iowa Mayor and Town Council voted April 14 to approve a Purchase and Service Agreement with Tyler Technologies for the MyCivic mobile app, authorizing Mayor Douglas Watkins to execute the contract after a split council vote. The measure passed with council members Daniel Hennigan, Joe Becnel and Gerald Guidry voting in favor and Julie Fontenot and Vernessa Guillory opposing the agreement.

Mayor Douglas Watkins presented the MyCivic app and addressed resident concerns about prior allegations involving the company, saying the issues had been resolved and originated with a third-party firm Tyler had acquired. He said the agreement could be amended later. Town Attorney Eugene Bouquet and the mayor participated in the subsequent discussion before the vote.

The meeting also included routine fiscal and administrative items. Town Clerk Cynthia Mallett reported the town's monthly and year-to-date financials and Watkins warned that House Bill 606, if enacted, would reduce the town's sales tax revenue by $91,758. The council unanimously approved a Comprehensive Master Plan for the town and a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Calcasieu Examiner (S.A.N.E.).

Public safety business included unanimous approval of three personnel actions on Chief Keith Vincent's recommendation: hiring Seth Whetstine as a full-time patrol officer effective March 14, 2025; hiring Matt Doucet as full-time Detective/Patrol at the rank of sergeant pending pre-employment testing; and transferring Austin Peloquin from part-time patrolman to full-time acting executive officer at the rank of staff sergeant effective March 24, 2025. Chief Vincent also noted Telecommunications Appreciation Week and announced a Police Memorial Service scheduled for 5 p.m. May 15, 2025 at the Community Center with District Attorney Stephen Dwight as guest speaker.

The council approved amendments to the Town of Iowa Customer Utility Accounts Policy so the town may participate in the Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery to collect unpaid debts through state revenue mechanisms; Cynthia Mallett said she would consult with Attorney Eugene Bouquet about whether traffic fines could also be included. The council then approved an Agency Participation Agreement with the Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery (Department of Revenue) to begin collections. Mayor Watkins introduced Ordinance 2025-01 to amend the town code to authorize use of the state debt-recovery office under Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:299.1 et seq.; a public hearing on that ordinance is scheduled for May 12, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the Iowa City Hall Meeting Room.

The council also authorized an application for the 2025–26 Keep Louisiana Beautiful Beautification Grant and adjourned at 7:42 p.m. Residents may review the Comprehensive Master Plan by contacting City Hall; one attendee, identified in the minutes as Ms. Johnson, asked for more information and was provided a copy by the town clerk.

Votes at a glance: Purchase & Service Agreement with Tyler Technologies (MyCivic app) — Approved, Yeas: Hennigan, Becnel, Guidry; Nays: Fontenot, Guillory. Hire — Seth Whetstine, Approved unanimous. Hire — Matt Doucet (pending testing), Approved unanimous. Transfer — Austin Peloquin, Approved unanimous. Comprehensive Master Plan — Approved unanimous. Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (Calcasieu Examiner) — Approved unanimous. Amendments to Customer Utility Accounts Policy / Agency Participation Agreement with Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery — Approved unanimous. Keep Louisiana Beautiful grant application — Approved unanimous.

The next step on the ordinance to permit state debt-recovery is a public hearing on May 12, 2025; other approved agreements and hires will be executed or completed according to the dates and conditions noted in the motions.