A Minute With the Mayor

Hey, it’s me Andy, the mayor! I wasn’t sure if you would remember me since it has been so long since I’ve written to you. I apologize for my absence from the paper. I hadn’t felt like I had anything new to talk about and I didn’t want to bore you with the same old thing but we are seeing enough progress in some ongoing projects that I felt it was time for an up-date.

The pool has water in it and new sod around it if you haven’t noticed. Although a full pool is only for a short time it is a significant milestone. They are testing all the pumps and chemical equipment this week to make sure everything works properly and waiting for the Department of Health to come and conduct their inspection. If all goes well, we will be able to wrap up the construction and be ready for next pool season. It has been a long, arduous journey but it seems like we are finally nearing the end of the line. I can’t wait for next summer!

I understand there have been lots of questions about the auditorium/community center, especially when it is going to be ready. If the pool project has taught us anything, it is to not give hard deadlines about when projects of this magnitude are going to be completed. I would love to tell you a specific date or a specific month but that wouldn’t be fair to those looking to utilize the community center.   The best I can tell you right now is spring (beginning, mid or late, I don’t know!) What I do know is that the rest of the project is going out for bid this month. Once the bids are received we will have a much better idea of a time frame for all the remodeling. Just know that the end product will be transformative in nature. If we are able to accomplish all that we wish too, the new and improved Lyons community center will have been worth the wait. So if you are someone who is chomping at the bit to reserve the community center next year, have patience please. If you were hoping to have some event in it this winter, we can’t make any promises. I will however let you know the minute it

Mayor Andy Fuston

is open for business! We want to show it off as much as you want to be able to use it!

The 2015 budget has been submitted to the state for the start of the October 1^st fiscal year. The budget process is becoming more and more complex year after year as we apply for and receive grants in one year but spend them in the following year due to how projects ebb and flow across multiple years. We have applied for a street light grant for Main Street and will be applying for other grants as they come up throughout the year. They are great to receive but the play havoc on the budget process as I said. But overall the budget is sound and conscientious. Your city council will continue to spend your tax dollars and utility dollars wisely.

Have you noticed (it’s hard not to have!) the new house going up at 3^rd and Diamond. We are seeing the fruits of our partnership with Three Rivers Housing happening there. It is going to be a nice addition to that area of town. Speaking of new construction isn’t Steiny’s General Store looking great! What a wonderful addition to downtown. The same can be said of Dolezal’s Hunting Depot. Both are just another sign that Lyons is moving in the right direction. The company that built the water tower is going to begin doing some warranty maintenance on it beginning late September or early October. During that time the water system will be operating on the high service pumps at the water plant to provide the water pressure the town requires. Not sure how long the maintenance work will last but if you notice any water pressure fluctuation, which hopefully you won’t, it will be for this reason. Lastly the city is looking into updating its blight study to help us capture some tax increment financing to help with future city projects. The city has been working with Burt County Economic Development to better understand what and how T.I.F. monies are used.

Well, I think that is all I have for now. November 4^th is quickly approaching so it is time to be thinking about exercising your obligation to vote. You will have plenty of decisions to make this election-new U.S. senator, Governor, school board and city council. It is amazing what can happen when the right people for the job are elected to those positions. That’s it for now. Hope life for you is going well. We’ll talk soon. Take care.