City still having software issues

By Jeff Snyder

MOUNT AYR, Iowa — During a busy Mount Ayr City Council meeting on Monday night at City Hall, elected officials were updated on the continuing bill processing software issues.

 City Administrator Brent Wise brought the council up to speed on a number of ongoing issues and city staff’s continued struggles with the G-Works software. The software manages a variety of the city’s billing and invoice systems, including resident utilities. Wise stated the issues are being ironed out on a daily basis by the staff and G-Works personnel.

The council will continue to receive updates from Wise on the software issues.

The City Council took into consideration and subsequently denied a request made by Jaque Shore to refund or credit her account for a missing $280.07 cash payment. Shore claims to have the cash payment in the city’s drop box. The council denied the request due to Shore’s lack of documentation. Shore was not present at Monday’s meeting.

During a Special City Council meeting on October 1, the council discussed the drop box and other security measures (See story on page 2).

The council approved the measures, which include removing the current “drop box” located on the exterior wall of the city hall building adjacent to the main entrance. As an alternative, the council agreed to rent a “large” size P.O. box that would be located at the post office main building. The city will continue to accept payments directly to city personnel located inside the building during regular business hours.

The council discussed at the request the Ringgold County Emergency Management team, funding and implementation of a new tornado siren to be placed in the vicinity of Loch  Ayr, a city owned property.

The estimated cost for this equipment was slated as $5,500.  The council stated that they would be in contact with the Ringgold County Board of Supervisors to discuss a possible cost sharing agreement.

The council was also informed about the plan for the hangars at Judge Lewis city airport. (See Airport Commission story below).

In other council business:

• The city council approved a warranty deed for 503 W. Monroe St.. The deed is being done for the non-profit Ringgold County Development Corporation to construct a single family home.

• The city’s rental house regulations were discussed, specifically the $10 per unit fees now being levied to rental home owners. The city agreed to reexamine these issues on a case by case basis.

• The city’s (asset management system) SAM agreement was discussed and determined that two payments would be released; one in fiscal year 2025 for $37,500 and the second to be allocated in the fiscal year 2026 for $53,250, which were both approved by the council.

• The council approved the transfer of funds in the amount of $140,117.02 for work previously conducted at Valley View West Drive.

•  The audit for fiscal year 2025 has been postponed to December due to current work loads with the city.

•  An energy audit was discussed which was provided by Alliant Energy. The audit covers cost reduction measures that are available to the city, specifically city owned properties. window efficiency, HVAC and lighting systems were among the items detailed in the report. The council will examine the options and move forward as time a budgets allow.

The Mount Ayr City Council is next scheduled to meet on October 27 at City Hall.