Sheriff John DeGeorge read the nomination letter at the county board’s October 1 meeting which nominated Don Kullot, Deputy/Emergency Manager, for the Association of Emergency Managers Outstanding Performance in Emergency Management Award.  Amy Bramwell, Mower County Emergency Manager, had addressed the letter to the nomination committee. She wrote, “Region 1 has been … [Read more...]

Ambulance Director Rocky Burnett asked the city council to consider two recommendations to help with EMT scheduling for overnight/evening and weekends at the city council’s September 24 meeting. Councilors Mike Urban and Paul Novotny were absent. Burnett explained filling the schedule for overnight and weekends has been an ongoing issue and has been discussed at length in … [Read more...]

At the September 9 city council meeting, approval was given to advertise for both an EDA director and a zoning administrator. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Both positions are for 30 hours per week. Both will report to the city administrator. The EDA director will primarily oversee economic development and related activities and projects. The zoning administrator will … [Read more...]

County Administrator Bobbie Hillery presented the current draft of the 2025 budget at the September 10 board meeting. She detailed added cuts that have been agreed to by department heads. Hillery said, “Department heads did a great job.” The latest numbers show an increase in the levy of $4.48%, or $588,238, over 2024. Sheriff John DeGeorge and Chief Deputy Lance Boyum were … [Read more...]

Chief Blaise Sass addressed the city council at the September 3 meeting. Sass has been working with city staff and Mayor Kurt Reicks to come up with suggestions to attract more police officer candidates and to retain officers once they are hired. Reicks explained, “We have been struggling with hiring and retaining police officers for a long time. Pay should be comparable to … [Read more...]

At the September 3 board meeting ,a public hearing was set for September 24 at 10 a.m. for comment on the five year Capital Improvement Plan for roads and bridges (2025-2030), including the use of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funding. When LOST dollars are to be used, a public hearing is required. Without the availability of LOST dollars, more funds would need to come from … [Read more...]

At the August 27 meeting of the county board, Miranda Wendlandt, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, reviewed the audit process and financial results for 2023. The county was granted an unmodified, “clean” opinion, which is the highest level. Total federal awards were $5,093,555 (airport improvement program and COVID state and local fiscal recovery funds were tested). Wendlandt said the … [Read more...]

Ambulance director Deb Ristau asked the city council to consider the purchase of a new Ram AEV (American Emergency Vehicles) ambulance at the council’s August 19 meeting. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. Ristau said the lead time is three years, so delivery of the new ambulance is expected in 2027. The state bid price for the ambulance is $342,271. With the trade of the 2014 … [Read more...]

At the August 12 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Ordinance 476 was reviewed for the first time. It outlines offenses that may be charged as administrative offenses and the penalties for those offenses. The fine for an animal violation would be $50, for various described nuisances would be $100, and for various street, sidewalk, and vehicle violations the fine would be … [Read more...]

At the August 12 meeting of the city council, the city financial advisor Mike Bubany provided an interactive spreadsheet to help the city council compare financial options in the creation of the city’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the next five years. The city of Preston CIP projects included in the plan include a seal coat project in 2028, city hall repairs, a new plow … [Read more...]

Departmental budgets for 2025 again dominated discussion at the county board’s August 13 meeting. At the last meeting, County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reported that preliminary 2025 budget numbers may result in a 9.3% levy increase. Commissioner Randy Dahl suggested departments have been presenting very accurate budgets. He added there are likely just two ways to reduce … [Read more...]

County Engineer Ron Gregg discussed the proposed purchase of an active sand pit in section 30 of Rushford Village at the board’s August 6 meeting. The county has been buying its sand to be used for winter snowplow operations from the current owners of this pit. The board approved a motion to go forward with a purchase agreement to purchase the 11.58-acre sand pit at a lump sum … [Read more...]

At the July 23 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, Stephanie Morse, Harmony Public Library director, told commissioners that the county gets “a lot of bang for your buck at Fillmore County libraries.” Morse broke down the value of library materials and services; the total value of library use according to her figures is about $3.8 million. Her values included books borrowed … [Read more...]