The County Board met for the first time in 2025 on January 7. Auditor/Treasurer Heather Broadwater led the newly reelected commissioners in their oath of office. Mitch Lentz, district 1, Larry Hindt, district 3, and Marc Prestby, district 5 repeated the oath of office. Prestby was elected board chair and commissioner Randy Dahl was elected vice-chair for 2025. County … [Read more...]

The Preston City Council met for their first meeting of 2025 on January 6. Three newly reelected councilmen, Dean Aug, Steve Hall, and Mayor Kurt Reicks repeated the oath of office for newly elected officials. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton led a discussion on the possible purchase of the Harmony Ag site. A discussion with Harmony Ag has been ongoing about a possible … [Read more...]

Rep. Greg Davids and Sen. Jeremy Miller listened to the county’s legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session at the December 17 county board meeting. The top priorities for District 9 were a bonding bill, tax relief, modernization of Human Services system, and Mental Health (public safety), Mental Health (public health and human services). Department heads … [Read more...]

At the December 17 Planning Commission, recommendations from the DNR to change classifications in the county’s shoreland ordinance were discussed. The DNR is proposing the shoreland ordinance be changed. The shoreland classification of trout streams are to be changed from “Natural Environment” to “Forested” to be consistent with the DNR classification system. The DNR has … [Read more...]

Sheila Craig, Preston Historical Society, updated the Preston City Council at their December 16 meeting, the last meeting of 2024. Craig explained she was asked to give a fundraising update to the council every three months. This is her second report; she announced that they have raised $289,965; with the inclusion of active pledges the fund will have exceeded $300,000. The … [Read more...]

City Administrator Michele Peterson presented Truth in Taxation information during a hearing at the city council’s December 9 meeting. Peterson listed guiding principles which include maintaining a steady, predictable tax rate at around 90% which has been achieved. Another goal is to reduce the city’s debt per capita to $3,500 or less (currently at $3,738). The city’s budget … [Read more...]

County Administrator Bobbie Hillery explained on the purpose of the Truth in Taxation Hearing is to discuss the county’s 2025 budget and levy. Several people attended theDecember 3 meeting to express their concerns after recently receiving their property valuations and proposed 2025 property tax. Hillery said they could meet with staff from the assessor’s office after the … [Read more...]

At the board’s December 3 meeting, Sheriff John DeGeorge explained body worn cameras could be integrated with the squad car camera system. Funding for body worn cameras is in the 2025 Sheriff Department budget. There is a process that must be adhered to before the cameras are purchased. Policy that details when the cameras will be activated will be discussed at the December … [Read more...]

At the December 2 city council meeting, it was decided to look into other options for the EDA. No motion was made to sign a 2025 contract with Community for Economic Development Associates (CEDA) for 2025. The current contract with CEDA provides for an EDA director for two days per week; the contract will end December 31, 2024. Councilman Dean Aug was absent from the … [Read more...]

The Fillmore County Planning Commission held a public hearing at the November 21 meeting to consider the conditional use permit application submitted by Minnesota Sands, LLC.  A lengthy and thorough operation and reclamation plan (about 300 pages) for industrial sand mining in Pilot Mound Township was prepared by Summit Envirosolutions, Inc. and was submitted as part of the … [Read more...]

At the November 25 Chatfield City Council meeting, approval was granted for use of some of the one-time public safety funding. The one-time allocation was divided among several departments by the Personnel/Budget Committee: $33,242 for the Fire Department, $40,000 for Ambulance Department, $36,810 for Police Department, and $21,667 for Public Works. Police Chief Shane Fox … [Read more...]

At the county board’s November 26 meeting, County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reviewed the many contributions and accomplishments of Duane Bakke, both in service to the county and the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC). Bakke is to be honored with the Distinguished Service Award during a luncheon at the AMC conference on December 10. He will be one of four receiving an … [Read more...]

Preston Dairy and Farm Association applied for a conditional use permit for a 68.1 kw ground mounted solar system at 27743 State Hwy 16 on its 6.1-acre lot. This size solar array requires a CUP and is allowed in I-1 (general industrial) district. The request was heard at a Planning Commission meeting just prior to the November 18 city council meeting. During the P & Z … [Read more...]

Land Use department responsibilities were expanded at the November 12 meeting of the county board. Land Use Director Blake Lea explained there are people in-house who have completed the necessary training in water management. Both Lea and Dallas Dornink have met the requirements for certification as a Minnesota Wetlands Professional In-Training. The Minnesota Wetland … [Read more...]

Ambulance Director Rocky Burnett recommended the hire of Edin Lopez Sifontes as a part-time EMT at the city council’s November 12 meeting. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Burnett said there had only been one applicant; he was interviewed and qualified for the part-time position. His start date has yet to be determined. Sifontes was hired as recommended. Burnett … [Read more...]