At the October 24 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, an agreement for the city to purchase the current People’s Energy Cooperative site along Twiford St., between First and Second Streets, was approved as recommended by the Public Works committee. EDA Director Chris Giesen noted the property includes several buildings, office and furniture, fenced-in outdoor storage, and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Jail project update
Bruce Schwartzman, BKV Group, and Pete Filippi, Contegrity Group, reviewed design development plans, including site and floor plans, cost estimates, and a future schedule for the county jail addition and remodel at the county board’s October 25 meeting. The podular jail design provides staffing efficiencies. Schwartzman said the Department of Corrections is on board with the … [Read more...]
Preston City Hall water issues
At the October 17 Preston City council meeting, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton reviewed quotes which had been submitted to resolve water issues and fix damages in city hall. With a spring snow melt or heavy rains water has leaked into the council chambers along the north and east foundation walls. It appears to leak in where the foundation and basement floor meets. … [Read more...]
Fillmore County 2021 audit reviewed
Miranda Wendlandt, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, detailed items related to Fillmore County’s 2021 audit at the county board’s October 11 meeting. Wendlandt reported that the county’s financial statements were issued on September 27 prior to the Minnesota statutory deadline. CliftonLarsonAllen completes audits for about 20 Minnesota counties. There were no disagreements with … [Read more...]
Chatfield amends its City Charter
At the October 10 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, members unanimously approved the second consideration of Ordinance 461, which makes amendments to the city’s Charter. Councilors must vote unanimously on the second consideration to amend the city’s Charter. The publication of Ordinance 461 was then approved. The amendments to the Charter take place 90 days after … [Read more...]
Zoning enforcement in Fillmore County
Board Chairman Mitch Lentz initiated a discussion related to Zoning enforcement during the Fillmore County Board’s October 4 meeting. Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins, County Attorney Brett Corson, and Highway Engineer Ron Gregg contributed to the discussion. Adkins said if a zoning ordinance is in place you have to enforce it. People need to call her with complaints. … [Read more...]
Preston calls for assessment hearings
At the October 3 Preston City Council meeting, resolutions were approved calling for assessment hearings on November 7 for Maple St. Improvements and Circle Heights Dr. Improvements. The hearings will be held during the regular meeting at city hall. Affected property owners will have an opportunity to have any objection to proposed assessments considered; an objection can be … [Read more...]
Chatfield approves 2023 preliminary budget, tax levy
At the September 26 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, City Clerk Joel Young briefly reviewed the budget goals for fiscal year 2023. Seven principles were listed to outline these goals, including the maintenance of a “steady, predictable, local tax rate with a long term goal of reducing the tax rate over time.” Young said they are making progress on each of the principles. … [Read more...]
Fillmore County approves preliminary 2023 budget/levy
Fillmore County Commissioners at their September 27 board meeting unanimously approved the preliminary budget and levy for 2023. The budget in the amount of $12,399,295 requires a 3.95% levy increase, or $471,533 more than in 2022. County Program Aid for 2023 will be $940,355, or $125,351 more than in 2022. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery noted recent adjustments that had … [Read more...]
Preston certifies preliminary 2023 levy
A resolution was adopted at the Preston City Council’s September 19 meeting setting the 2023 preliminary levy at $1,136,218. This is an increase of $55,522, or 5.14% over 2022’s levy. Mayor Kurt Reicks noted final figures will be available, for example insurance costs, before the final levy is set in December, which could result in a downward adjustment. The final levy can be … [Read more...]