Our City employees enjoy working for the North Plains community. In this new series, we’ll introduce either an individual or a group of City employees to you each month so you can get to know us and what we do. Please feel free to say hi when you see us around town!

City Recorder Lori Lesmeister

How long have you worked here? 
My 6-year anniversary is September 28, 2022! It’s hard to believe it's been that long.

What do you do in your role for the City? 
As City Recorder, I am responsible for creating agenda packets and minutes for City Council, as well as all City boards and committees. I am also responsible for city elections and records retention and management. In small towns we all pitch in on different tasks when needed, so for example I have been assisting with Planning Department duties while we looked to hire a Planner, and I just started taking over the monthly “Connected” newsletter, which I love working on!

What do you like best about your job? 
I have great co-workers which makes an enjoyable job that much more enjoyable. I'm truly an 'office' person so I like pretty much all of my duties, some just a bit more than others. I am really enjoying doing the monthly newsletter. And I learn something new every day.

What is your typical workday like? 
I work closely with City Manager Andy Varner and the Chairs of the other city boards and commissions to put together meeting agenda packets. It takes 3-4 days to build each packet. On the day after each meeting, I work on the minutes from the previous evening's meeting. We record them all so it's easy for me to go back to them and listen to create the minutes. Anyone can watch past meetings on the City's YouTube channel as well.

I serve because…
I feel that city government is crucial to the residents that it serves and I like being in a position to keep that wheel rolling forward. 

What I love about North Plains is…
It's still small enough to feel like a rural community. The residents here are neighborly to each other and to city staff and I know many of them by name. It makes me feel personally connected to them even though I live in another town. 

What do you like to do when you're not at work? 
I love to travel anywhere where there's sunshine and a beach. I am a sun worshipper and Mexico is my favorite spot. Oh, and I have 5 cats (all rescues). Yes - I truly am a Crazy Cat Lady!