The December 12 meeting of the county board was dominated by personnel matters. Fillmore County has requested to withdraw from the Minnesota Merit System, effective January 1, 2025. Lindsi Engle, human resources officer, said all documents will be submitted as part of the certification process. The state has a year to review the documents before granting approval. DDA Human … [Read more...]
Chatfield Certifies 2024 Levy
On December 11, the last scheduled meeting of the Chatfield City Council in 2023, councilors worked their way through a lengthy agenda. During the Truth in Taxation public hearing, City Administrator Michele Peterson noted the cost drivers which included escalating equipment prices, technology security, insurance, and inflation. She broke down the distribution of property … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Looks Back at 2023, Forward to 2024
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery provided details to citizens attending the December 12 Truth in Taxation public hearing. A review of 2023 included major changes that were initiated during the year including the first year of Fillmore County Corrections, the bidding and bonding for the jail project, the restructuring of the zoning department, the addition of Children’s and … [Read more...]
Preston Certifies 2024 Budget/Levy
The December 5 meeting of the Preston City Council began with a Truth in Taxation hearing, during which information about the proposed 2024 budget/levy was presented. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton reviewed budget details. Local Government Aid (LGA) in 2024 will be $539,116, or $31,737 more than in 2023. This was the first significant increase in LGA in over a decade. In … [Read more...]
Fillmore County In-house Adult Mental Health Case Management
At the November 28 Fillmore County board meeting, Social Services Director Wanda Berg explained there will be value for both clients and the county to have adult mental health services provided in-house. Adult mental health case management services have been provided by Zumbro Valley Mental Health. This contract will not be renewed. Services provided by the county for Fillmore … [Read more...]
Grant Application for Winona Street SE/CSAH 5 Project
Chatfield City Engineer Craig Britton explained at the city council’s November 27 meeting that there is aged and undersized infrastructure, water and sewer, under this portion of Winona St. SE. Councilors Mike Urban and Paul Novotny were absent. A resolution in support of an application for a Local Road Improvement Project (LRIP) grant through MnDOT was adopted. The section … [Read more...]
CUP for Telecommunications Tower Approved
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...]