At the final Chatfield City Council meeting in 2022, the property tax levy for taxes payable in 2023 was approved. The total levy will be $2,444,756, which is an increase of 5.793% over 2022, or $133,879. Prior to approval of the 2023 levy, the Truth in Taxation public hearing was held. The 2023 levy includes a pay increase for the mayor and city council, a 5% pay grid … [Read more...]
Fillmore County supports new funding formula for corrections
At the county board’s December 13 meeting, commissioners passed a resolution urging the legislature to pass a new funding formula and significant appropriation in the upcoming 2023 legislative session. The Association of Minnesota Counties Community Supervision Work Group has urged all 87 counties to give their support. Community supervision such as probation, supervised … [Read more...]
Explaining 2023 Fillmore County property taxes
Fillmore County Auditor/Treasurer Christy Smith recently sent out proposed property taxes for 2023 to property owners. Property taxes are collected to pay for services provided by the county, city, township, and school taxing districts. Each property owner is asked to pay his/her fair share, no more and no less. Jason McCaslin, county assessor, is responsible for estimating the … [Read more...]
Preston adopts 2023 budget and levy
City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton gave a presentation on the budget and levy during the Truth in Taxation portion of the city council’s December 5 meeting. This is to give the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed final levy. Councilman Dean Aug was absent. Throckmorton noted that the preliminary levy certified in September showed a 5.14% increase over the 2022 … [Read more...]
Chatfield approves bond sale for People’s Energy Cooperative property
Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, Inc., explained the terms of a bond sale for the purchase of the property at the city council’s November 28 meeting. During the public hearing Bubany recommended a bond amount of $750,000. The issuance of the General Obligation Bond is for the purpose of providing additional space for the Public Works Department. The bond amount includes … [Read more...]
Contract awarded for highway storage building
At the November 22 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, three bids were considered for construction of a highway department storage building at the Chatfield location. The lowest bid submitted by Swartzentruber Construction LLC in the amount of $562,725.31 was accepted as recommended by county engineer Ron Gregg. This amount is still higher than the $500,000 now set aside for … [Read more...]
Chatfield leaders speak to legislators
Representatives of the City of Chatfield and Chatfield schools pointed out both needs and wants to state legislators to be considered in the upcoming 2023 legislative session. Representative Greg Davids and Senator Carla Nelson shared their comments on a variety of issues at the November 22 meeting. Mayor Russ Smith opened the meeting. Soon-to-be mayor John McBroom along with … [Read more...]
Preston City Hall repairs in progress
At the November 17 meeting of the city council, the last two quotes from contractors to complete needed waterproofing and repairs of Preston City Hall were approved. Mayor Kurt Reicks and councilman Dean Aug were absent. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton reported the final two quotes had been received and some work had already been done. The deconstruction and removal of … [Read more...]
Permit for auctions in Ag District considered
The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on November 17 to consider an application for a conditional use permit for auctions in the Agricultural District. Chairman Trinity Johnson opened the public hearing for an application submitted by Enos and Emma Hershberger, section 18 of Canton Township. This conditional use permit application is considered under Section 604.03(13) … [Read more...]
Harmony awarded over $1 million Small City Block Grant
At the November 15 city council meeting, Mayor Steve Donney noted that Harmony had received a Small City Block Grant for over $1 million, which is one of the largest ones granted in the area. More details on the grant will be coming out later. Sarah Scheffert from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, or SMIF, addressed the council. She thanked them for their past … [Read more...]