Vote split on new city software

Sheridan’s City Council approved a new software system for the city, but the vote was split 4-2 after an unsuccessful effort to table the decision.

Action came at the council’s meeting earlier this week. The vote divided over an issue of liability, with Councilor Jacob Martin voicing the question.

Martin originally moved to table the matter pending a report to the Council by City Attorney Brendon Kerns on the liability question. That motion failed for lack of a second.

City Treasurer Karen Burtis said she believed there was a clause in the contract regarding recovery, but she didn’t recall the details. The Council approved the purchase with a caveat that Kerns brief the Council on liability.

The MUNIS ERP software will be provided by Tyler Technologies, and Burtis said recurring fees will be just over $139,000 per year.

The Council approved the contract for five years.

In addition, Burtis said, the city will pay a one-time fee of around $315,000 to cover initial costs including implementation, data conversation, some training and some equipment costs.

In a memo to the Council, Burtis said the purchase of software from Tyler Technologies was recommended by city staff based on two years of researching companies that provide out-of-the-box ERP software systems designed specifically for governments. She said Tyler Technologies had the highest rating. The company has existed for over 50 years, and six local governments in Wyoming use the MUNIS system.

Burtis said she talked to the city of Gillette, which has had MUNIS for several years, and she said they are very happy with the system.