Mike Bubany, David Drown & Associates, reviewed funding options for the renovation and expansion of the Fillmore County jail at the county board’s April 11 meeting. At the last board meeting, a motion to move forward with the project along with the EOC/Training room was tabled. Only four commissioners had been present at that meeting, as chairman Larry Hindt was absent. … [Read more...]

Bruce Schwartzman, BKV Group, and Pete Filippi, Contegrity Group, addressed the Fillmore County Board at their April 4 meeting. Chairman Larry Hindt was absent due to a medical issue. Schwartzman explained that the jail project went out for bids in February; the bids came in on March 23. There was good bid coverage with 25 bid categories and 57 bids total. Two categories … [Read more...]

The Fillmore County Board held a relatively brief meeting on March 28. Commissioner Randy Dahl was absent. Sheriff John DeGeorge requested approval of a proposal from Northland Business Systems to replace the server for the PSAP (public safety answering point) logger, which is in need of replacement. The new server will be paid for out of 911 grant funds. With trade-in credit … [Read more...]

The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on March 23 to consider an application submitted by Andrew Miller Jr. to rezone his property northeast of the city of Spring Valley from A (Agricultural) to I-1 (General Industrial) for the purpose of opening a lumberyard. The property in Spring Valley Township lies within one-half mile of the city limits of Spring Valley, making … [Read more...]

Fillmore County Assessor Jason McCaslin presented a review of details involved in finalizing the 2023 market adjustment at the March 27 Rushford Council meeting. McCaslin covered Rushford, as well as other municipalities and the county as a whole. McCaslin noted that things that affect the county tax rate vary and that time adjustments had a tremendous impact on the changes. … [Read more...]

Sheila Kiscaden, co-chair Southeast Minnesota Together, addressed the Fillmore County Board at their March 14 meeting. She requested their help in an appeal to Rep. Greg Davids and Senator Jeremy Miller to get the legislature to fund the SE MN Together Transit Action Team’s effort. SE MN Together wants to develop a comprehensive assessment and financial plan for a … [Read more...]

Social Services Director Wanda Berg explained at the March 7 county board meeting that Children’s Mental Health-Targeted Case Management is currently provided by Hiawatha Valley Mental Health in Winona. Hiawatha Valley Mental Health is managing a caseload of about 52 for Fillmore County, of which about 11 are “county pay.” At this time there is not a signed contract in effect … [Read more...]

The February 28 meeting of the Fillmore County board had two controversial issues on the agenda. The Planning Commission’s recommendation to increase the animal unit cap drew a large crowd and later the public hearing on a possible moratorium on cannabinoid products or hemp-derived THC filled the board room once more. Chairman Larry Hindt announced that the board would be … [Read more...]

At the February 14 Fillmore County Board meeting, the public was given the opportunity to comment on the extension of the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). County Engineer Ron Gregg explained the half cent tax was enacted in 2014. The revenue collected was intended to be used to help fund 131 miles of county roads that are strictly funded with local tax levy dollars. The program … [Read more...]

At the February 7 meeting of the county board, commissioners set a public hearing for February 28, at 10 a.m., for possible action on an interim moratorium regarding the sale of edible cannabinoid products and/or hemp derived THC food and beverages. A proposed interim ordinance and moratorium will be considered at this meeting. The county is considering an interim moratorium … [Read more...]