Lindsay has a new city manager following a vote of the Lindsay City Council Monday to approve an employment contract with Sally Jantz.
Jantz will take over the city manager position July 1.
Jantz has served as city manager for the city of Healdton for the last five years. Prior to that she served as city clerk for the city of Fairview.
She will be replacing interim City Manager Janice Cain, who has filled the position for the last year as council members conducted a search for a more permanent candidate.
“I just want to thank you for helping us out throughout this past year,” Councilman Bart Drennan told Cain during the city council’s regular meeting Monday. “Your experience has been invaluable to us.”
“Thank you. It’s been fun, but not fun at times,” Cain quipped, drawing chuckles from the council and a handful of spectators in the room.
Cain, who previously served as Lindsay’s city manager from 1992-1998, agreed to fill the position again on a temporary basis last June in the midst of a financial crisis for the city in which city leaders were grappling with a projected $1.1 million budget deficit and the revelation that the city’s bookkeeping was in serious disarray.
“We were in a difficult situation, and she pulled our fat out of the fire,” Mayor Tom Inman said, then turned to Cain. “Now, we’re not there yet, but we’re a lot better off than we were, and I appreciate all the hard work you’ve done and everything you’ve done to help us. We’re hopefully going to go forward and look forward to positive things in the future.”
Cain also expressed her appreciation to the council.
“It was good to be back in Lindsay and see some people I met 20-plus years ago,” Cain said. “I appreciate the opportunity. Things got a little rough at times, but I think we all weathered it. And you’ve got a solid council. That makes a world of difference when you’re trying to correct problems and bring solutions and build a team.”
Cain said she and Jantz have visited at length, and she feels the transition between managers will be a smooth one.
During Monday’s meeting council members also approved an ordinance to amend the city’s retirement system defined benefit plan, providing a special retirement option for eligible employees, in this case the city’s EMS Director, based on age and years of credited service.
Lindsay EMS Director Anthony Adams resigned from the position last week.
“This is similar to what we entered into in the fall with some other employees, so I recommend we approve the ordinance and that amends the defined agreement to allow for the early retirement to be effective July 1,” Cain told the council, prior to the vote.
Council members discussed traffic control options to slow motorists driving too fast on several streets on the north side of Lindsay including Winona Boulevard and Francis Avenue. Council members authorized the placement of additional stop signs in the area and requested further investigation into the cost of placing speed bumps and mobile flashing signs.
Council members approved a lease agreement with Cytracom for new VoIP phones to be installed in all city and public works authority departments. Cain said the new phone system should improve phone quality while providing a cost savings to the city.
Other action taken by the council Monday included approving a budget resolution for fiscal year 2023-2024 for the City of Lindsay and the Lindsay Public Works Authority; approving annual interlocal agreements between the City of Lindsay and McClain County for mutual assistance; approving the renewal of a lease agreement between the city and Delta Community Action Foundation, and renewal of a lease agreement between the Lindsay Police Department and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections; and approving the renewal of an annual contract with Montavin (Monty) Selzer to open and close graves and oversee funeral services at the cemetery.
Under the Lindsay Public Works Authority meeting council members approved a bid from Aimright Testing for $15,152 to conduct geotechnical testing at three locations. Cain explained the bid from Aimright was about $700 higher than the lowest bid, but included 12 borings, as opposed to the six borings included with the low bid.
Council members approved entering into an agreement with Tyler Technologies for software for mass meter swap for electric and water accounts in the amount of $23,930. The agreement as approved also includes a recurring $3,000 annual fee.
The council also authorized city management to solicit bids for carbon replacement at the water plant.