A motion to post for a Community Development Director was approved at the October 14 city council meeting. Councilors had approved the advertisement for both an EDA director and a Zoning Administrator at the September 9 meeting. The closing date for these postings was September 30. Due to the fact that no applications were received for the Zoning Administrator and three for … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Supports Appeal for Individual Disaster Assistance
At the October 8 meeting of the county board, Sheriff John DeGeorge and Deputy Jason Harmening asked the board for its support in the appeal for Individual Assistance for owners of homes in the city of Spring Valley damaged by flooding during June heavy rain events. Since then, additional individual properties that sustained damage have been added. On September 19, FEMA … [Read more...]
Needed Upgrades to Preston Community Pool Discussed
City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton, during the Preston city council’s October 7 meeting, described several issues with the community pool cited during a health inspection. Three days before the pool was to close this year, the pump failed. The pump was replaced in 2023, so the manufacturer will cover replacement of some of the parts. However, there are many other … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Emergency Management Director Honored with Award
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...]
Fillmore County Jail Project Well Underway
County commissioners toured the new addition to the jail facility during their September 24 meeting. The construction process of the new addition is ongoing. It is estimated that inmates will be moved into and housed in the new facility as early as February 2025. The podular jail design will give clear, straight site lines for observation of inmates in their cells. Once … [Read more...]
Chatfield Endeavors to Address EMT Scheduling Issues
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...]
Preston Historical Society Updates City Council on DMRC Fundraising
At the September 16 meeting of the city council, Sheila Craig, Preston Historical Society (PHS), reviewed fundraising numbers to date for the Depot-Museum & Riverfront Center (DMRC). In early June a lease/management agreement was approved by the city council for the planned conversion/improvement of the Dairy & Farm building to the DMRC. The DMRC will be the property … [Read more...]
Chatfield to Advertise for an EDA Director and Zoning Administrator
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...]
Fillmore County Commissioners Discuss 2025 Budget
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...]
Preston Increases Police Officer Pay Scale
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...]