City of Litchfield Meeting | January 22, 2026

Article Summary: To improve visitor amenities and operational efficiency, the Litchfield City Council approved the purchase of a self-serve ice vending machine and a kayak rental kiosk for Lake Lou Yaeger. The new equipment is expected to generate revenue and eliminate the need for staff to manually transport ice from local retailers.

Lake Lou Yaeger Key Points:

• Ice Machine Purchase: The Council approved $41,125 for an Everest Summit Max ice and water vending machine.

• Operational Savings: The machine is projected to pay for itself in three to four years by eliminating the labor and fuel costs of hauling bagged ice.

• Kayak Kiosk: A $13,268 self-serve kayak station was approved, fully funded by a grant from the James A. Duff & Owen M. Duff Memorial Trust Fund.

• No Fee Increases: The Council approved 2026 wage increases for seasonal staff but kept camping and entry fees flat for the upcoming season.

The Litchfield City Council on Thursday, January 22, 2026, approved significant upgrades to the amenities at Lake Lou Yaeger, including a new 24-hour ice vending machine and an automated kayak rental station.

The Council voted to purchase a self-serve ice and water vending machine from Everest Ice and Water Systems for an amount not to exceed $41,125. While the expense was unbudgeted, funds were available in the city’s general fund reserve.

Lake Superintendent Heather Bell submitted a cost-benefit analysis indicating the machine would pay for itself within three to four years.

Bell described the logistical challenges of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, where failed delivery contracts forced staff to drive to Walmart multiple times a week to buy bagged ice for lake visitors.

“We sold 2,462 bags of ice in roughly 100 days last season,” Bell told the Council. She explained that the new machine, which will be installed in the brown storage building at the Marina 1 parking lot, will be available 365 days a year for both campers and local residents.

The machine produces up to 1,900 bags of ice per day and features a single moving part to reduce maintenance issues. It will accept credit cards, and the city plans to install a cash acceptor to accommodate customers who prefer to pay with bills.

In addition to the ice machine, the Council approved the purchase of a Kayak Self-Serve Kiosk Station from Outdoor Vending Solutions for $13,268. This purchase will be fully funded by a grant from the James A. Duff & Owen M. Duff Memorial Trust Fund. The kiosk will allow visitors to rent kayaks and paddleboards from dawn until dusk without requiring staff presence.

The Council also passed resolutions setting wages for seasonal staff, including a minimum wage increase to $15.00 per hour, and approved the 2026 fee schedule. Notably, there are no increases in camping or recreational fees for the 2026 season.