Ambulance Director Rocky Burnett recommended the hire of Edin Lopez Sifontes as a part-time EMT at the city council’s November 12 meeting. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Burnett said there had only been one applicant; he was interviewed and qualified for the part-time position. His start date has yet to be determined. Sifontes was hired as recommended. Burnett … [Read more...]

At the November 5 meeting of the county board, Lindsi Engle, human resources officer, asked the board to consider the hire of an additional Public Health RN/LPN to the roster for the 65-plus team. The cost of the additional hire was in the 2025 Public Health budget. Engle said the team is consistently busy. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery explained that they are getting … [Read more...]

City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton discussed the deterioration of the windows/frames on the east and north side of the building at the city council’s November 4 meeting. Throckmorton presented two quotes submitted by Pella and La Crosse Glass and Door to replace the windows with aluminum framed commercial windows. The lower quote from La Crosse Glass and Door in the amount … [Read more...]

Public Works director, Brian Burkholder detailed plans to replace three pieces of street equipment at the city council’s October 28 meeting, as recommended by Burkholder and the Personnel/Budget Committee. Burkholder explained they have been working on the replacement of a 2008 Pelican Street Sweeper for a year. It was due to be replaced in 2024. They looked at 7 to 8 … [Read more...]

Stantec Engineer Peter Daniels reviewed a preliminary engineering report regarding the city’s wastewater treatment facility at the city council’s October 21 meeting. Preston Public Utility Commission (PPU) members were also in attendance. Past major projects to improve the facility were completed in 1962 and 1986. In 1997 a sludge storage tank was added. The Minnesota … [Read more...]

At the October 22 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, Blake Lea, land use director, asked the board to consider contracting septic service for Houston County for Type IV and V septic systems. Lea and feedlot officer Dallas Dornink have been taking trainings to get certifications for Type IV and V septic systems. Lea is now qualified for these non-conventional systems. … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]