At the August 22 meeting of the county board, Miranda Wendlandt, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, presented the audit for the year ending on December 31, 2022. The audit was issued on August 3, which is well ahead of the September 30 deadline. An unmodified (“clean”) opinion was issued on the financial statements, which is the highest level of assurance. Wendlandt listed some control … [Read more...]
Preston to Order New Ambulance
At the city council’s August 21 meeting, Ambulance Director Deb Ristau reported on the department’s fleet of three ambulances. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. The 2013 Ford F450 from Lanesboro has had numerous mechanical issues. A new ambulance is estimated to cost $330,185 and if ordered now may not be delivered for two-and-a-half to three years. The trade-in value of the 2013 … [Read more...]
Chatfield Creates TIF District for Apartment Complex
Chris Giesen, EDA coordinator, detailed the request from Main Street Properties LLP (partners Mark Welch and Mike Sogla) for assistance through redevelopment tax increment financing (TIF) at the city council’s August 14 meeting. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. The former apartment building located on Grand St. was destroyed by a fire in November 2022. The damaged structure … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Restructuring Plans for Zoning Office
At the August 8 board meeting, County Administrator Bobbie Hillery suggested a detailed plan to restructure the Zoning Office. The board had just approved the retirement of Kristi Ruesink, accounting technician, with thanks for her 35 years of service, effective January 4, 2024. She was thanked especially for the advanced notice of her retirement. Hillery said there have … [Read more...]
Preston Historical Society Annual Report
Debbie Thompson presented the annual report and funding request for the Preston Historical Society (PHS) at the Preston, Minn., city council August 7 meeting. The report was put together by Sheila Craig, president of PHS, and included numerous activities throughout the year. Most city council members are members of the historical society. Some of the activities of the PHS are … [Read more...]
Children’s Mental Health Case Management
Fillmore County Children’s Mental Health case workers made their first presentation to the county board at the August 1 meeting. The county terminated its contract with Hiawatha Valley Mental Health in Winona on May 1. The county now provides children’s mental health services. The Fillmore County Children’s Mental Health team includes caseworkers Ashley Greden, Andrea … [Read more...]
Fillmore County continues 2024 budgeting process
Four departmental budgets were reviewed at the county board’s July 25 meeting. Terry Schultz, Facilities Maintenance supervisor, detailed budgets for the Building Maintenance department and Infrastructure. The proposed Building Maintenance budget is about $20,000 higher than the 2023 budget, or $563,195 for 2024. The increase is mostly due to gross salaries and the county … [Read more...]
Chatfield decertifies three TIF districts
Three resolutions were adopted at the July 24 meeting of the Chatfield City Council decertifying three tax increment financing districts. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Chris Giesen, EDA director, explained the three TIF districts have run the course of their agreements. They are all on the Fillmore County side of Chatfield. District 3-2 was created in 2003 to assist … [Read more...]
Chatfield honors Joel Young for serving his community well
At the July 10 meeting of the Chatfield city council, Luke Fischer, executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), began with a presentation in honor of retiring city administrator Joel Young. The League represents 838 cities in Minnesota. LMC advocates for cities at the state capital, provides resources, training, policy development and other services. Justin … [Read more...]
Fillmore County awards the sale of bonds for jail project
Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, Inc., presented five bids submitted for the bond sale at the board’s July 11 meeting. Bubany noted the county had an S & P Global rating of AA-/Stable, which with the state enhancement is AAA/Stable. Good ratings lead to good results. He recommended the low bidder for the $6,390,000 general obligation bond submitted by Stifel, Nicolaus … [Read more...]