"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
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Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
 
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Board of Review at Harmony City Council meeting


Fri, May 17th, 2013
Posted in Harmony Government

The annual Board of Review was held before the regular Harmony City Council meeting on May 14. Cindy Blagsvedt from the County Assessor’s office summarized the sales study that was conducted on residential, commercial and agricultural sales in Fillmore County. There were 158 residential sales in the county, and 14 in Harmony. There were 13 commercial sales in the county and 46 agricultural.

Tom Raedeke from the Department of Revenue explained the average sales ratio that is used, and how Blagsvedt must value properties at 90-105 percent of market value. If it is more or less than that, there must be an adjustment.

The total value of all property in Harmony comes to $55,975,100. There was $84,800 in new construction for residential in Harmony, and $25,900 commercial.

Blagsvedt explained how commercial values are reached using the examples of two businesses in Harmony.

Dave Kiehne and his daughter, Chris Torgerson approached Blagsvedt with a question on how the asphalt was assessed on the commercial property at Torgerson Auto. Kiehne said he came to the meeting last year with concerns about how high his assessment was, and it was lowered. This year the assessment was the same at $43,000, and he asked to have it lowered to $26,500 again.

“That lot has lost value,” said Kiehne. “I think the valuation needs to be looked at a little further.”

Blagsvedt explained the assessment on asphalt is done exactly the same for every property, and she recommended not making any changes to it. They look at replacement costs and apply a depreciation across the board.

Torgerson commented that it cost them $30,000 to put the black top in, and they were now being assessed $43,000. “It makes no sense,” she said.

The council passed a motion to leave the assessment as is.

Lynn Arnold had a question about his two buildings downtown, the post office building and the Big Woods Graphics next to it. The value on one property went down a little and one went up. Blagsvedt said he could come see her at another time and discuss it.

1st Avenue Project

The council decided which sidewalks would be replaced and which ones would not along 1st Avenue when the county works on that street next summer.

Brett Grabau of Bonestroo, Inc., along with someone from the county and City Administrator Jerome Illg, marked .....
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Harmony to purchase new ambulance

Fri, Feb 15th, 2013
Posted in Harmony Government

It was approved for the Harmony Ambulance service to go ahead with plans to purchase a new ambluance. Larry Nolan spoke to the council at their meeting on February 12. According to Nolan, the current ambulance is a 2010 with 45,000 miles. Since t ..... 
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Tax abatement hearing at the Harmony City Council meeting

Fri, Jan 11th, 2013
Posted in Harmony Government

By Jade Sexton Mike Bubany of David Drown and Associates was at the Harmony City Council meeting on January 8 for the tax abatement hearing. The city is planning to refinance a USDA bond they currently have in order to get a lower interest rate an ..... 
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Harmony City Council looks at street project

Fri, Dec 14th, 2012
Posted in Harmony Government

By Jade Sexton Brett Grabau from Bonestroo was at the Harmony City Council meeting on December 11, 2012, to discuss the street repair projects on 1st Ave SW. It is a county road, and the county is planning on doing a reclaim and repave to that enti ..... 
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Harmony City Council discusses street report

Fri, Nov 16th, 2012
Posted in Harmony Government

By Jade Sexton Engineer Brett Grabau was Bonestroo was at the Harmony City Council meeting on November 13 to talk about the street engineer report that was recently done. Grabau explained that the report looked at Harmony’s immediate and long ..... 
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Harmony City Council approves new playground equipment

Fri, Sep 14th, 2012
Posted in Harmony Government

Brand new playground equipment will be installed at Selvig Park in Harmony by next spring. At the regular city council meeting on September 11, 2012, the council approved the purchase of the equipment, moving along a project that has been in the wor ..... 
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Harmony City Council moves forward with Pavement Management Plan

Mon, Jun 18th, 2012
Posted in Harmony Government

The Harmony City Council had a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) workshop on May 29, and they suggested Stantec come up with a proposal for a pavement management plan for the city. Brett Grabau from Bonestroo, who is partnered with Stantec, explained t ..... 
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Harmony City Council discusses property values

Mon, Apr 16th, 2012
Posted in Harmony Government

Cindy Blagsvedt from the Fillmore County Assessor’s office was at the Harmony City Council meeting on April 10 to discuss property values. A Board of Review was held before the regular meeting for residents who had questions or concerns, or wanted ..... 
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Senator Jeremy Miller visits Harmony during legislative break

Mon, Apr 16th, 2012
Posted in Harmony Government

Minnesota State Senator Jeremy Miller took the chance to visit several places in southeast Minnesota during the legislation’s spring break. It was an opportunity for him to meet with residents and business owners, answer questions, and share discu ..... 
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