The Lennox City Council met on November 13 and November 27 for their regular meetings of the month, with many issues discussed and action taken on a variety of items. Below is a summary of those meetings.
The City Council discussed a new addition to the employee health care plans - a High-Deductible/Health Savings Account plan. After additional research and discussion, the City Council opted to not offer this new option.
Pay Applications for the Central Basin 4 Project were approved at the November 13, 2023 meeting. At this point, the project is suspended for the winter, though the contractor is expected to perform several underground bores for water, sewer, and storm sewer under the BNSF railroad crossing on North Elm Street.
The City Council approved several smaller grant applications
- A grant request from the BNSF Foundation for support for the Lennox Museum Project
- A grant request for Automatic External Defibrillators at the concession stands located in Westerman Park
- A request for funding from the MidAmerican Energy Foundation for the Lennox Museum Project
An agreement was approved with Lincoln County for the provision of dispatch services. The contract amount doubled in the three years since the first agreement was approved, and the City Council has asked that the Sheriff provide additional information on the rationale for such a significant increase.
The City Council approved two ordinances this month. The first is a technical update to the Rural Service District territory. These undeveloped areas within City limits is protected from higher municipal taxes until such time that they are developed. The second ordinance rezoned two parcels of property in the Countryside Addition from R2-Multifamily Residential to GB-General Business.
At the November 13 meeting, the City Council took important steps to the financial security of the Lennox Area Ambulance, which is funded entirely by insurance claims and Lennox tax revenues. First, the City Council approved the write-off of approximately $200,000 in past-due bills that have amassed over several years. Following discussion, the City Council also voted to move forward with legal action against the City's previous ambulance billing provider, Ambill Associates, to recoup damages and protect taxpayers from being responsible for unpaid bills.
Last, the City Council passed a resolution at the November 27 meeting that began the process of condemning the property at 317 N Main Street. The City of Lennox has worked at improving and maintaining this property for several years, but after an interior inspection it is clear that the property is not safe for occupancy.
For more information on any of these issues, please visit the City's online agenda management website at https://go.boarddocs.com/sd/co..., or the City's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channe...