Kali Lentz, CPA/senior manager at Smith, Schafer & Associates, Ltd., reviewed the 2024 audit for the city of Chatfield at the council’s March 10 meeting. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Lentz noted the financial statements are in draft form as the final PERA reports for the Statewide Volunteer Fire plan have not yet been received. The city was given an unmodified “clean” … [Read more...]

At the March 11 meeting of the county board, the operation of the Assessor’s Office during this interim period without an assessor was discussed. Commissioner Duane Bakke was absent. Action was taken approving an agreement with Dodge County to provide needed assistance in the assessor’s department. Matt Naatz will work as an independent contractor eight hours every other week … [Read more...]

Sheriff John DeGeorge explained his request to manage the Sentence to Serve (STS) Program internally at the county board’s March 4 meeting. The state of Minnesota is ending the STS Program as of June 2025. The Institution Community Work Crews (ICWC) program pays counties like Fillmore County to house low risk inmates. This program appears to be continuing. The ICWC allows for … [Read more...]

Sheriff John DeGeorge explained why there is a need for the I-BAND Interior Public Safety Band Enhancement System at the board’s February 25 meeting. Due to the fact that there are not many radio towers in Fillmore County for the ARMER (Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Radio) System this amplification system will be necessary in the new jail building. Three bids were … [Read more...]

At the February 24 meeting of the city council, plans were approved for maintenance of numerous city streets. A quote from Durst Outdoor Services in the amount of $29,025.50 was approved for crack filling work on portions of six streets (River St, Seventh St., Sixth St., Fourth St., Old Territorial Rd, and Grove St.). Many of the same streets will be chip sealed after … [Read more...]

The Preston City Council, at their February 18 meeting, discussed the Fillmore County ordinance that regulates the sale of hemp and cannabis products. The county recently approved this ordinance at its February 11 meeting. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton noted the ordinance is effective for the entire county; the city is automatically covered by the county ordinance. … [Read more...]

Solid Waste administrator, Joel Kroening presented new solid waste rates for 2025 at the board’s February 11 meeting. It has been five years since various rates have been adjusted. The new rates have been vetted through the Solid Waste committee. Rates are increased for white goods (appliances), electronics, tires, ballasts, oil filters, and landfill material. New rate lines … [Read more...]

Four department heads reviewed the 2024 year at the city council’s February 10 meeting. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Steve Schlichter, Wastewater Treatment Facility, reported that the facility is running well; it has met or exceeded all limits. In 2024 a total of 71,423,000 gallons of wastewater was treated; it costs $19.30 to treat 1,000 gallons of wastewater. … [Read more...]

Several department heads looked back at 2024 at the Preston City Council’s February 3 meeting. Councilman Steve Hall was absent. Police Chief Blaise Sass reported that Public Safety Funds paid for equipment purchases made in 2024. He anticipates the purchase of a squad pickup in 2025. There is about $69,000 in the equipment fund at this time. Sass introduced Connor Simon, who … [Read more...]

At the February 4 meeting of the county board, the resignation of Kathryn Frette, county assessor, was accepted, effective February 27, after six months of service. The county will advertise for a replacement assessor. Highway County Engineer Ron Gregg asked the board to consider the purchase of a rock grapple attachment for a skid loader. Two quotes were considered; the … [Read more...]

Alex Shapiro, director for the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail, reviewed progress made for the trail at the board’s January 28 meeting.  This is a non-profit, private, independently directed effort for a 100-plus mile backpacking trail in southeast Minnesota. The proposed corridor goes from Chatfield area through Lanesboro area, Spring Grove area, to the state border … [Read more...]

At the January 27 meeting of the Chatfield City Council approval was given to explore the possible sale of the Groen Park Bridge. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Councilor Josh Broadwater, reporting for the Park & Recreation Committee, encouraged the council to authorize the exploration of the sale of the bridge. In 2022 the city received a matching grant in the amount … [Read more...]

At the January 21 meeting of the city council, some projects listed on the 2025 Capital Improvement Plan were discussed. Driveways at the Crown Hill Cemetery need improvements. Options discussed included paving of only the entrance estimated to cost $45,000, paving of all paved driveways estimated to cost $115,000, converting to gravel surface costing over $8,000 for the … [Read more...]

At the January 14 Fillmore County board meeting Nicole Lehman, DNR Area Hydrologist, explained the reasoning for the suggested language changes. The proposed amendments are centered around a change from “NE” (natural environment) to “Forested.” Lehman’s area includes Fillmore, Houston and Olmsted Counties. Fillmore County has nearly 500 miles of trout streams, which is about … [Read more...]

The Chatfield City Council met for the first time in 2025 on January 13. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. Re-elected councilors Pam Bluhm, Josh Broadwater and David Frank repeated the oath of office, as did Mayor John McBroom. Councilor Frank was elected to serve as vice mayor. McBroom said he was honored to again serve as the city’s mayor and was looking forward to … [Read more...]