Lindsborg – Week of June 8 2025
New council member appointed; City faces turbine repairs; Council delays funding decision; Museum seeks funding increase; Library celebrates 65th birthday
New Council Member Appointed to Vacant Seat
City Faces $66K Bill for Power Plant Turbine Repairs
Council Delays Decision on Street and City Hall Funding Amid "Main Traffic Way" Concerns
Old Mill Museum Seeks 67% Increase in City Funding
Lindsborg Public Library Celebrates 65th Birthday
1. New Council Member Appointed to Vacant Seat
LINDSBORG - Larry Lysell, a retired public school superintendent known for his work as a "problem solver" in districts facing challenges, was unanimously appointed to the Lindsborg City Council. Lysell will fill the seat vacated by Andrew Smith, who resigned after moving out of his ward. Mayor Clark Shultz praised Lysell's extensive experience in budgeting, human resources, and management, as well as his family's inspiration to the community. Lysell will serve the remainder of Smith's term, which runs for the next two years. After being sworn in, Council Member Lysell immediately participated in the remainder of the meeting's business.
Greg Loving
2. City Faces $66K Bill for Power Plant Turbine Repairs
LINDSBORG - Lindsborg will pay $65,976 as its share of a $20 million repair bill for two damaged turbines at the Dogwood Power Plant in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. The city's ownership stake in the plant is 3.27%. Officials suspect the damage may have been caused by corrosion from wildfire smoke that passed through the turbines. The cost will be covered by the city's Transmission Congestion Right (TCR) Fund, a reserve built from profits made by selling the plant's energy into congested markets. This "rainy day fund" currently has a balance of over $364,000 and has been built up over several years, with deposits of $62,000 last year and an expected $45,000 this year. Officials noted that an insurance claim for the repairs is still being pursued.
3. Council Delays Decision on Street and City Hall Funding Amid "Main Traffic Way" Concerns
LINDSBORG - The Lindsborg City Council on Monday tabled a proposal to use leftover bond money for street repairs and a new HVAC system at City Hall after questions arose about the long-term consequences of the plan. The proposal involved reallocating funds remaining from the 2016 Garfield drainage improvement project to fund a Mill and Overlay Project for Union and Green Streets and help replace the City Hall HVAC system. However, the move required designating Union and Green Streets as "main traffic ways," a legal step necessary to make the projects eligible for bond financing. Council members expressed concern that this designation could lead to unintended consequences, such as obligating the city to pave the gravel portion of Union Street or altering snow removal priorities. Following debate and a withdrawn motion, the council decided to seek more information from its legal experts before proceeding.
4. Old Mill Museum Seeks 67% Increase in City Funding
LINDSBORG - The Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum is asking the city for a significant budget increase for 2026, requesting $50,000, up from its current annual funding of $30,000. In a detailed presentation, Executive Director Aubrey Wheeler outlined the museum's recent accomplishments, including major renovations funded by a $250,000 grant and the near completion of structural repairs to the Swedish Pavilion. Willard stated the increased funding is needed for operational costs, which are difficult to cover with grants that are typically project-specific. The museum, which became a non-profit in 2021, has seen its financial support from McPherson County decrease from $100,000 to $25,000 annually.
5. Lindsborg Public Library Celebrates 65th Birthday
LINDSBORG - The Lindsborg Public Library celebrated a major milestone, marking its 65th anniversary on June 2nd. Librarian Suzanna Swenson appeared before the council to announce the birthday, noting that the library first opened its doors on June 2, 1960. It began in the building that now houses The Ivory Thimble with just 200 borrowed books. Swinson, who brought cookies for the council and city staff to celebrate the 65 years of "excellent library services," was thanked by the council for her work.
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Sources
- https://www.facebook.com/LindsborgCity/videos/1111046777722033
- https://www.facebook.com/LindsborgCity/videos/1111046777722033
- https://www.facebook.com/LindsborgCity/videos/1111046777722033
- https://www.facebook.com/LindsborgCity/videos/1111046777722033
- https://www.facebook.com/LindsborgCity/videos/1111046777722033
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Contact: greg@loql.ai
