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...]
Residents expected to be admitted to the veterans home in June 2023
Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke led a virtual meeting on September 21 to provide a quarterly update on the veterans home in Preston. The tentative date for ribbon cutting is after Memorial Day, about June 1, 2023. The Preston facility is about 56% complete. It is the furthest along of the three new veterans homes under construction. The other … [Read more...]
Chatfield looks to expand its city limits
The Chatfield City Council, at their September 12 meeting, approved a Widseth proposal for engineering services to recommend infrastructure improvements and to estimate costs of those improvements for proposed areas of expansion of the city limits. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. The firm will analyze a possible Burr Oak Ave. NE extension north of Margaret St. NE and an … [Read more...]
Fillmore County continues trimming 2023 budget
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery detailed more possible savings in the 2023 budget at the board’s September 13 meeting. Requested new tech positions in both the administration’s and the recorder’s offices were eliminated from the budget. A request for another full-time jailer was limited to a part-time jailer. Soil and Water Conservation District will not receive a … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office receives policy management award
At the September 6 Fillmore County Board meeting, Sheriff John DeGeorge explained every county in the state of Minnesota likely uses the services of Lexipol Connect. Fillmore County started using the service in 2012. Lexipol started a recognition program last year which is intended to help their users receive excellence in policy and online training. “Lexipol provides public … [Read more...]