City getting new $230K software

The Yoakum City Council approved a contract for financial software services with Tyler Technologies at its Tuesday, Dec. 12, meeting.

Newly appointed City Manager, William Linn, authorized the contract in the amount of $230,180. This is a one-time set-up fee to get everything implemented and then the city will pay Tyler Technologies annually.

“This is government-based financial software, and it’s going to be our new financial software,” Director of Finance Debbie Gray said. “It’ll be our human resource and payroll software, and we’ll be using it for purchasing and utilities. Almost every city around here has been using Tyler Technologies as well and they’ve been doing utility billings since the 1980s. We feel this will be a much smoother transition and much better for our utility customers as well.”

The council also approved the purchase of several vehicles for the city. One of these vehicles includes a new digger truck for the Electric Department.

ll be put on GovDeals in January,” Director of Public Works Mike Bennett said. “Our salesmen for the electric department have seen it and say it’s a very good truck. We’re just asking for authorization to bid on it on GovDeals. The ones I’ve found that’s for sale on the Internet run up for $50,000. We’re just asking permission to bid on it and to not exceed that $50,000. This ought to get us by for eight to ten years.”

A pick-up truck to service as an emergency response vehicle for the Fire Department was also approved. The funds will be reallocated to complete the purchase in the amount of $4,000.

In other business:

• William Linn accepted his oath of office as the city’s new lead administrator.

• Council authorized Linn to seek proposals to rehabilitate the Laredo Street Water Tower using federal American Recovery Program Act funds.

• The city will host the Guadalupe Valley Water Association’s annual meeting on Jan. 18.