At the January 19 meeting of the Preston City Council, approval was given for Barth Construction to use the city’s tree/brush disposal site for trees removed during restoration work on a portion of Camp Creek. Trout Unlimited is coordinating the work located just south of Fillmore St./CSAH 11 bridge. Dennis Barth asked if the city would allow the green trees to be placed at … [Read more...]
Fillmore County continues jail need assessment
Sheriff John DeGeorge updated the Fillmore County Board at their January 12 meeting on the progress of the Jail Need Assessment Committee. The full committee has identified four scenarios for the future of the aging jail and each of these options are being explored. The options include total outsourcing and the closing of the facility entirely, the construction or remodeling … [Read more...]
Chatfield council urges you to pay stimulus money forward if you can
Chatfield Mayor Russ Smith, during his annual address at the city council’s January 11 meeting, encouraged people to spend their stimulus money at small, local businesses; thereby, putting it back into the local economy to help these struggling businesses. He said the city is looking good going forward. The biggest issue is the state of small businesses in town that have been … [Read more...]
Fillmore County accepting applications from businesses and non-profits for relief grants
The Fillmore County Board held its annual meeting on January 5. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery called the first meeting in 2021 to order. Three commissioners were reelected in the November general election. Judge Matthew Opat administered the oath of office to Marc Prestby, Larry Hindt, and Mitch Lentz who are each beginning a new four-year term. Commissioner Randy Dahl … [Read more...]
Plans for Preston’s 2021 street project progressing
City Engineer Brett Grabau, Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., reviewed the schedule for the 2021 Street and Utility Improvements at the Preston City Council’s January 4 meeting. In July, authorization was given to prepare for the plans for the project which is estimated to cost $3.75 million, of which $2.8 million will be borne by the city. The planned project includes … [Read more...]
Planning Commission hears CUP applications for private cemeteries and car lot
The Fillmore County Planning Commission held public hearings on three conditional use permit applications at their December 17 meeting. Two of the applications were for private cemeteries. •Dominic Crawford and Caleb Short, section 32 Fountain Township, had submitted an application for a private cemetery on five acres in the Agricultural District. The property is located … [Read more...]
Second round of business and nonprofit relief grants
The Fillmore County Board held their last meeting of 2020 on December 22. On December 14 and 15, the Minnesota state legislature approved a second round of county administered business and nonprofit relief grants. The grants are intended to provide financial aid to businesses and nonprofits that have been impacted by an executive order related to COVID-19. Fillmore County will … [Read more...]
Preston accepts ownership of Crown Hill Cemetery
In 2017 the Crown Hill Cemetery Association first approached the City of Preston about the possibility of assuming ownership and operation of the cemetery. On December 21 the city council formally accepted ownership of the cemetery grounds and buildings, effective December 31. The city commits to the future maintenance of the cemetery. The Cemetery Association voted … [Read more...]
Chatfield certifies 2021 levy
At the December 14 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, the final levy for 2021 was approved. The levy increase is 3.98%, or $86,101. The total 2021 levy will be $2,247,789. City Clerk Joel Young reviewed 2020 and took a look forward to 2021 during the Truth in Taxation public hearing required by state statute. Due to the COVID pandemic the antiquated telephone system in … [Read more...]
Sharp rise in Preston’s residential property taxes
Preston’s December 7 city council meeting centered on the presentation of the annual city budget and proposed tax levy; this hearing is required by the state and allows for public comment. However, the actual proposed levy ended up being of less concern than the significant residential valuation increases. Residential property taxes will be up significantly next year (a 15 to … [Read more...]