The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on November 16 to consider an application for a condition use permit submitted by TowerNorth to build a telecommunications tower in Section 22 of Chatfield Township. During a June 8 public hearing before the Board of Adjustment, Alex Trueman, TowerNorth, had requested and received a variance for the telecommunications tower. At that … [Read more...]
Preston Reviews 2024 Budget
City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton reviewed some adjustments to the city’s 2024 budget at the city council’s November 20 meeting. Some changes made since the preliminary budget was approved included a smaller increase for health insurance than estimated, an increase in dental insurance that was greater than expected, a 5.5% increase in salaries (estimated 5%), a lower cost … [Read more...]
Fillmore County’s 2024 Possible Assessment Changes Reviewed
Fillmore County Assessor Jason McCaslin reviewed some possible property assessment changes at the board’s November 14 meeting. The Truth in Taxation notice comes out later this month. McCaslin updated the board to make them aware of possible assessment changes. With the new Tax/Cama software there will be a new process to notify property owners that may qualify for special ag … [Read more...]
Chatfield Wastewater Operator Recognized
At the November 13 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Steve Schlichter and Brian Burkholder were credited for their good work for the city. Burkholder, Public Works director, explained Schlichter received the Southeast Class B Wastewater Operators Award at the 2023 Minnesota Wastewater Operators Association (MWOA) annual conference. There are six districts in the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Supports Broadband Application
Carter Grupp and Chris Koneche, Finley Engineering Company Inc., and Nicole Schulte, Spring Grove Communications, requested support for their Border-to-Border broadband application at the board’s November 7 meeting. They want to apply for state and federal assistance for an area with low density passings (2.4 per mile), including 216 farms, 29 businesses, and 295 households. … [Read more...]
Preston Historical Society Historic Campus and Riverfront Plans Discussed
At the November 6 meeting of the Preston City Council, the Historical Society’s Phase II plan for the Historic Campus and Riverfront was discussed. Committee members provided an update on the masterplan for the project. Council members Charles Sparks, Steve Hall and Flossie Schultz are members of the Preston Historical Society (PHS). Sparks noted that during his 13 years on … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s 2024 CEDA Contract
The Chatfield City Council’s October 23 meeting was relatively brief. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. The contract between Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) and the Chatfield EDA was approved for a period of one year beginning January 1, 2024. The city receives staffing services, expertise, and materials to assist with the EDA’s community and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Option Agreement for POP Site
At the October 24 meeting of the county board, a proposed agreement concerning a Preston forfeiture property was discussed. The former Preston Oil site (119 Mill Street SW) went into tax forfeiture in 2018. The city of Preston has since had the underground tanks removed. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has monitored the site, and a mitigation plan has been … [Read more...]
Preston Plans for POP Demolition
At the October 16 meeting of the Preston City Council, the clean-up of the Preston Oil (POP) site was again addressed. Over several years, steps have been taken to improve the site. In 2018 the property went into tax forfeiture. In 2019 the city had the underground tanks removed. The following year the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) began monitoring the site. A … [Read more...]
Chatfield Approves CUP for Apartments Over Jac’s Bar and Grill
An application for a conditional use permit submitted by Jamie and Robin Arthur was considered at the Chatfield City Council’s October 9 meeting. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. A public hearing was held concerning this application at the October 2 Planning and Zoning meeting. The Planning Commision recommended that the CUP be approved to convert the space above the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Supports Outdoor School Legislation
Colleen Foehrenbacher, executive director of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, requested a letter of support for outdoor schools for all Minnesota students at the board’s October 10 meeting. Foehrenbacher explained they are hoping to get a bill through during the next legislative session to establish a statewide grant program to support accredited overnight outdoor … [Read more...]
Use of Veterans Home Trail Discussed
At the October 2 meeting of the Preston, Minn., City Council, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton explained the trail is getting close to completion, but it is not expected to be open until next spring. The debate, in which several citizens participated, is whether the trail should be considered a recreational use trail only (motorized conveyance prohibited) or should … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to Advertise for 2024 Road Projects
Highway Engineer Ron Gregg asked the board to advertise six 2024 scheduled road projects at the board’s October 3 meeting. Gregg said the projects are ready to advertise. Projects include a concrete overlay on CSAH 1 between CSAH 39 and the west city limits of Spring Valley, improvements to CSAH 4 from intersection of CSAH 38 to CSAH 5, a culvert replacement on CSAH 12 in … [Read more...]
Chatfield Certifies Levy for Taxes Payable in 2024
The 2024 preliminary budget and tax levy was adopted in the amount of $2,588,325 at the Chatfield, Minn., city council’s September 25 meeting. Councilors David Frank and Paul Novotny were absent. The preliminary levy for 2024 represents a 5.873% increase over 2023. The final levy to be adopted in December can be lower but not higher than preliminary numbers. The Truth in … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Hires Land Use Director
At the September 26 meeting of the county board, Blake Lea was hired to fill the newly created position of Land Use Director, effective September 29. In August the board voted to restructure the Zoning Department, which was supported by the current Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins. This day, the new job classification for Assistant Land Use Director was approved. Approval … [Read more...]
