The Chatfield City Council met on May 12. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. Public Works director Brian Burkholder explained the cost for the alley way improvements will be significantly less with this year’s prices compared to last year. There will be roughly a savings of $2,205 per alley with this year’s prices due to reduced work forecasted for Rochester Sand and Gravel (a … [Read more...]

The Chatfield City Council sped through a very short agenda at their May 5 meeting.  A grant (Grant Navigation Program) was accepted in the amount of $5,000 from the League of Minnesota Cities. This is a pilot program. The grant is to be used with industry partners to help identify matching funds for a city project and aid in grant application projects. The city’s potential … [Read more...]

At the May 6 county board meeting, Sheriff John DeGeorge received approval to house inmates temporarily in Winona County, when necessary to keep the jail project on track. The new jail facility is ready to go except for the phone system migration which is being held up by Lumen Tech. Lumen plans to do the project by September. The Motorola portion of the project is pushed … [Read more...]

Preston Historical Society president Sheila Craig updated the city council on its activities at the city council’s May 5 meeting. The highlight is the beginning of the construction of the Preston Depot Museum and Riverfront Center which began on April 1, 2025. After the demolition of the interior, reconstruction has begun. The roof will be shingled later this week. Craig … [Read more...]

The Fillmore County Journal (Publisher Jason Sethre, Assistant Editor Ellen Whalen, and this reporter) toured the jail in part on April 3, which was interrupted by an emergency (car chase), and later on April 16. Sheriff John DeGeorge led us through the office portion of the old building and through the new jail which will eventually house the county’s inmates. Jail … [Read more...]

At the April 22 meeting of the county board County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reviewed the various fund balances for fiscal year 2024.  Committed Funds include funds that were set aside for building maintenance, law enforcement remodel, grant projects, new county projects, interoperable communications, highway equipment, and solid waste building remodel/replacement. These … [Read more...]

At the April 21 meeting of the city council, Police Chief Blaise Sass presented a quote for a 2025 Chevrolet 1500 PPV on state bid from North Country GM. The new squad will replace a 2018 Dodge Ram. The replacement of the squad had been scheduled for 2024. The planned purchase for the squad with equipment and graphics will cost a total of $67,216.93 ($50,931.60 for the … [Read more...]

Paul Zager, MnDOT project manager, presented current plans for the 2027 US 52 project (Chatfield through Fountain) at the Chatfield City Council’s April 14 meeting.  Last year open houses were held in Chatfield and Fountain to get input from the public. Zager said MnDOT will be back again next year with more detailed plans. The first year of the project will involve bridge … [Read more...]

Commissioners discussed a policy relating to the collection of fees/debts at the board’s April 8 meeting. The state auditor recommended that counties create a policy for identifying accounts that are uncollectable. “Accounts Receivable write-off of Collection Debts policy for identifying and writing off accounts that are determined uncollectable.” This includes parental … [Read more...]

City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton, at the city council’s April 7 meeting, explained seven proposals had been submitted to update the city’s comprehensive plan. Mayor Kurt Reicks and Throckmorton had reviewed and scored the proposals; they recommended going with MSA Professional Services, Inc.  At the March 17 meeting Throckmorton had asked for volunteers to review … [Read more...]

The county board interviewed two applicants for the assessor position at their April 1 meeting. The county has been looking for an assessor since the resignation of Kathryn Frette in late February after six months of service. After both candidates were interviewed, the board by consensus agreed to extend a “bona fide” offer to Ryan Rasmussen because he is by far the most … [Read more...]

Ambulance Contract Service payouts were approved at the board’s March 25 meeting. The county agrees to pay each of the services $6,000 during the term of the agreements for the period of January 1 through December 31, 2025. The ambulance services agreements include Chatfield, Harmony, Lanesboro/pay to Preston, Mabel, Preston, Rushford and Spring Valley. Other Business in … [Read more...]

Kali Lentz, Smith Schafer & Associates, Ltd., reviewed a summary of the city’s 2024 financial audit during the council’s March 17 meeting. The city was issued an unmodified “clean” opinion of its financial statements. The management’s discussion and analysis was prepared by city staff. There were no exceptions to Minnesota legal compliance. The tax levy was 44% of … [Read more...]

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...]