Mayor Russ Smith commented on the state of the city and the community at Chatfield’s first council meeting of the new year held on January 9. He listed a number of improvements in the city, including the care center, remodeling of the Center for the Arts, and other development projects, which will improve the quality of life for many residents. There are other issues to be … [Read more...]
Your fair share of property taxes; no more no less
The local services we depend on every day are paid for in large part by property taxes. How is your share determined? The county assessor estimates the market value or what the property may sell for in today’s market for each taxable property. Then it is assigned a class according to its use. Minnesota has the distinction of having over 60 classes of property, by far the most … [Read more...]
Fillmore County discusses OSHA requirement
At the January 11 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard was discussed. The emergency standard applies to employers with over 100 employees. The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to make a decision whether to uphold or strike down the emergency standard which requires COVID vaccination or weekly … [Read more...]
Fillmore County legislative priorities
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery called the January 4 annual meeting to order. The first order of business was the election of officers for 2022. Mitch Lentz was elected board chair and Larry Hindt was elected board vice chair. Department heads clarified their legislative priorities to Senator Jeremy Miller and Representative Greg Davids. Many priorities listed for the 2022 … [Read more...]
Preston updates fee schedule
The Preston City Council attended to annual business items at their first meeting in the new year on January 3. Councilman Dean Aug was absent. Changes to the city’s fee schedule originally adopted in 2011 were approved. City Administrator Joe Hoffman said fees were discussed with department heads to get their input for recommended changes. Changes were minor and included the … [Read more...]
Preston approves CUP for solar system
Several residents attended the December 20 Preston City Council meeting to speak against a request to rezone property owned by Tim Johnston at 216 Brownsville St. NE. Councilman Charles Sparks was absent. Johnston has requested the rezoning of 1.5 acres (three parcels) of his property from R-2 (One and Two Family Residential) to R-1 (Agriculture/Residential). The reason for … [Read more...]
Fillmore County declares State of Emergency
A resolution was adopted at the December 21 Fillmore County Board meeting declaring a state of emergency due to the December 15 wind/tornado events. Sheriff John DeGeorge said the storms resulted in significant public damage. There is an estimate of power damage in the amount of $570,000. DeGeorge noted four tornados were identified just in Fillmore County. Strong straight … [Read more...]
Chatfield reduces 2022 property tax levy increase to 2.8%
At the December 13 meeting of the Chatfield City Council the final 2022 tax levy and budget were approved/certified. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. The city’s Truth in Taxation Hearing dominated the meeting. The preliminary levy approved in September had an increase of 3.98% for 2022; since then that number has been pared-down to a 2.8% increase, or an increase of $63,088. … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to advertise for proposals for county jail
At the December 14 Fillmore County Board meeting, commissioners approved Request for Proposals advertisement for Architectural Services for design and build for a new or remodeled county jail. Publication of the RFP in the official newspaper will appear in the December 27 and January 3 issues. A committee will review proposals submitted and three firms will be selected to … [Read more...]
Preston 2022 budget/levy review
City Administrator Joe Hoffman gave the annual budget/tax levy presentation at the Preston City Council’s December 6 meeting. The total levy for 2022 is to be $1,080,696, an increase of $46,273 over 2021 or 4.47%. Half of the city’s revenues will come from the tax levy in 2022. Hoffman compared that to 2004, which was the first year he served as administrator. In 2004 only 42% … [Read more...]