At the January 20 meeting of the city council, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton explained that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has allocated funds for cities to replace lead and galvanized water service lines. These are the water lines from a property owner’s property line to his/her water meter. At a January 13 meeting of the Public Utility Commission the hire … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s New Year Business
The Chatfield City Council met on January 12 for its first meeting in 2026. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. Mayor John McBroom reviewed some of the highlights of 2025 including the street project, the replacement of retaining walls, the addition of some new homes and the opening of the coffee shop. In 2026 the city will bring in a new police chief after the retirement of … [Read more...]
Credible Mind Platform
Kelly Jo Krenzke, children’s mental health, and Kiah Halverson, adult mental health, presented an introduction to the Credible Mind Platform at the Fillmore County Board’s January 13 meeting. Fillmore County Human Services partnered with Credible Mind about a month and a half ago. Krenzke said it will be accessible to anyone in Fillmore County. It will be available on the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County’s New Year Business
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery opened the board’s first 2026 meeting held on January 6. Randy Dahl was elected as board chairman and Mitch Lentz was elected as board vice-chair. Citizens Input will be held at 9:05 a.m. from now on. Commissioner Duane Bakke suggested citizens shouldn’t be giving their opinion on an item that is on the day’s agenda, because it is not … [Read more...]
Preston Creates Wastewater Facility Committee
At the first city council meeting in 2026 held on January 5, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton explained critical planning for the building/renovation of the current wastewater facility continues. Throckmorton asked for the creation of a committee. Members of the committee will include one utility commission member, Throckmorton, Jim Bakken, a wastewater operator, and one … [Read more...]
CodeRED Cyberattack
Fillmore County, along with many local governments/public safety agencies nationwide, learned that the Onsolve CodeRED notification service had suffered a cyberattack in November 2025. This notification service allowed public safety agencies to send out public safety announcements to protect their communities. The cyberattack has led to data breaches and forced the system … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Wraps Up 2025 Business
End of the year business dominated the agenda at the county board’s December 23 meeting. The 2026 final levy was approved in the amount of $14,551,646 which represents a 5.99% increase over the 2025 levy. This is unchanged from the preliminary levy approved in September. A resolution was adopted approving the 2026 total budget in the amount of $44,949,276, which … [Read more...]
Preston Adopts Comprehensive Plan
At the December 15 meeting of the Preston City Council, a resolution was adopted approving the new comprehensive plan. Emily Herold, assistant planner at MSA Professional Services, gave a brief overview of the plan. On November 17 a public hearing was held during a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting. The commission recommended final adoption of the 2045 Comprehensive … [Read more...]
Chatfield Certifies 2026 Levy
At the December 8 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, the 2026 levy was certified in the amount of $2,885,640. This represents an increase of $147,277, or 5.378% over 2025. Councilor Mike Urban was absent from the meeting. City Administrator Michele Peterson presented goals and guidelines for 2026 during the Truth in Taxation hearing. Goals included the maintenance of a … [Read more...]
Truth in Taxation
Fillmore County’s Truth in Taxation (TNT) hearing was held on December 2. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery explained TNT is about budget; it doesn’t address your property and its valuation. Why do local taxing units of government hold these meetings? Because they are required by Minnesota law. In 1988 the legislature passed a law requiring TNT hearings to encourage … [Read more...]