At the March 9 meeting of the Chatfield City Council. Cathy French provided an informational update on Age Friendly Fillmore County.
Age Friendly is a nationwide program involving age friendly communities and their volunteers. French has lived in Chatfield for 47 years; her husband has been a resident of Chatfield his whole life.
Nearly 21% of the population is 65 or older. Fillmore County has been recognized by the American Association of Retired People (AARP) as an age friendly community. AARP predicts that by 2030, 20% of the United States population will be older than 65.
The goal of age friendly communities is to make communities more livable for all ages, especially for older adults.
In 2023 the process to gather information began in several southeast Minnesota communities. The focus includes the availability of nearby affordable health services, community support, transportation services especially to medical appointments, housing, access to pharmacies, and more.
French said Chatfield scores pretty well for walkability. More benches are needed in the downtown area. A future survey could provide feedback as to what is available and what is needed.
Mayo Clinic will provide a three-part series to learn more from the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the Chatfield Center for the Arts. Session one “building a better brain” will be held on March 10 from 2-4 p.m. Session two “when does forgetfulness signal dementia” will be held on March 17 from 2-4 p.m. Session three “demystifying aging & dementia research” will be held on March 24 from 2-4 p.m. There is no cost. To register call (507) 867-4521, ext. 5022 or email lklevan@chatfieldschools.com
2025 Audit
Kali Lentz, CohnReznick, reported on Chatfield’s 2025 audit. The city received an unmodified “clean” opinion. The city’s limited ability to segregate accounting duties was noted due to limited personnel. The city’s tax capacity increased over 2024.
Local Government Aid represented 17.2% of governmental revenue. The unassigned General Fund balance of $1,806,721 equals 64.5% of next year’s general fund budgeted expenditures (recommended to be kept between 40% and 60%). The Capital Goods unrestricted fund balance totaled $1,061,538 at the end of 2025. Payments are being made timely on all debt.
The 2025 audit report was accepted as presented.
Other Business in Brief
- Steven Schlichter, wastewater treatment facility superintendent, provided a year-end review of 2025. It was a very good year overall; “In 2025 we operated at 37% of the facility’s designed capacity for flow. Numbers were similar to 2024 or better.” Schlichter noted 62,563,000 gallons of wastewater were treated in 2025, less than in 2024.
There were no large expenditures in 2025. About three miles of sewer line are cleaned each year or one-quarter of the city. Tree root intrusions are more common with the city’s aging sewer infrastructure.
The current WWTF was fully operational in 2006. Even though the facility has been well maintained mechanical pieces wear out and the electrical gets outdated. The facility operates 24/7. Work is going forward with SEH to find the best path for updating the facility to continue meeting requirements.
The facility undergoes a compliance inspection every three to five years. The facility was recently inspected; everything was good, there were no enforcement actions.
- A resolution was adopted authorizing the submission of a proposal seeking $103,500 in funding for a trial of native reeds in two reed beds used for sludge disposal at the WWTF. The proposal will be submitted to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for grant funding.
- A resolution was adopted establishing monthly garbage and recycling rates and authorizing a monthly fuel surcharge. Effective March 9 the monthly rate for standard residential service for garbage will be $8.80 and for recycling $7.75 per month.
- Donations totaling $370 were accepted to be used for capital purchases for the Public Library.
- A total of $4,000 was donated to the city to be used for an equipment purchase, a snowplow.
- Mayor John McBroom introduced the upcoming police chief, Scott Kiegly.
- City Administrator Michelle Peterson said citywide clean-up will look different this year. Instead of curb side pick-up there will be a central location for dropoff.
Leave a Reply