Buzz Bruns (right), the outgoing Lakeport mayor, receives a plaque of appreciation from newly elected mayor, Ron Bertsch. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

LAKEPORT – The new Lakeport City Council was seated during the council's regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday.

Suzanne Lyons, the council's new addition and the top vote-getter in the Nov. 4 election, took her oath of office from City Clerk Janel Chapman and received a bouquet of flowers in welcome.

Also taking their oaths were Bob Rumfelt and Roy Parmentier, who were reelected in November.

The results of the official canvass, conducted by Lake County Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley, showed that Lyons received 997 votes, placing her at the top of the six-person field for the three seats. Rumfelt received 959 votes and Parmentier 887.

The rest of the field included Marc Spillman with 767 votes, followed by Ginger Ingersoll, 747 votes, and George Spurr, 546 votes.

Newly elected council member Suzanne Lyons takes her oath of office on Tuesday, December 16, 2008. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

During Tuesday's council meeting, Mayor Willis “Buzz” Bruns received a plaque of appreciation as he stepped down from the council. He's retiring from the council following two terms of service. Bruns served a previous term as mayor in 2004.

Ron Bertsch, who has been the council's mayor pro tem over the past year, was elected mayor, with Jim Irwin elected to take on mayor pro tem duties. The council also assigned its members to various boards, commissions and committees.

In other council business Tuesday, the council discussed giving Lakeport Disposal its annual consumer price index increase on trash and recycling collection rates. Lakeport Disposal is the city's franchise hauler, carrying out its mandatory collection program since January 2004.

The council granted the increase, which company owner Joe Butcher and his son, Craig, reported will cost the average customer an additional $0.56 each month.

The Butchers also agreed to come into compliance with the franchise agreement's terms by conducting an audit of the company's 2007 performance.

Lakeport Disposal is required by the contract to pay the city a 10-percent franchise fee. The city previously has allowed them to pay a much smaller amount to cover business costs. Earlier this year, the city presented a phased-in approach to raising the fee, as Lake County News has reported.

The company agreed to raise its fee payments to 3 percent in January 2009, to 5 percent in July 2009 and then to the full 10 percent in September 2009.

E-mail Harold LaBonte at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

{mos_sb_discuss:3}