At the July 9 county board meeting Kathryn Frette was hired as the new county assessor effective August 5. Frette has worked as an Olmsted County appraiser for more than 20 years and also worked one year for LaSueur County. She has her AMA (Accredited Minnesota Assessor) license and is nearing the end of the process to obtain her SAMA (Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor) … [Read more...]

The first of the county’s department heads reviewed their proposed 2025 budget at the July 2 meeting of the county board. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery noted that insurance for employees is projected to go up 30%, which will be the majority of the increase in the 2025 budget. The general wage increase is set at 3% for budgeting purposes. Finance Director Christy … [Read more...]

At the June 20 meeting of the Fillmore County Planning Commission, public hearings were held on a rezoning request and a conditional use permit application. Peter Swartzentruber, section 5 of Preston Township, applied to rezone his property from Ag to General Commercial (B-1). The property is on the edge of the east city limits of Preston. Swartzentruber, who was not present … [Read more...]

After considerable discussion during past city council meetings, Ordinance 471 was approved at the city council’s June 24 meeting. Councilor Dave Frank was absent. This ordinance regulates the use of motorized golf carts on public streets and public areas within the city. A permit is required for the operator; the issuance and use of a disabled permit is allowed in certain … [Read more...]

The June 17 meeting of the Preston City Council was the last meeting for city attorney Dwight Luhmann. In late May, Governor Walz appointed Luhmann to fill a vacancy in the Third Judicial District. He will serve on the Winona County bench and will be sworn in on July 12. His resignation with the city after 18 years of service will be effective June 30. Mayor Kurt Reicks … [Read more...]

County Administrator Bobbie Hillery swore in county commissioners and Auditor/Treasurer Heather Broadwater to the Board of Appeal and Equalization at the June 18 meeting. Stephen Hacken, interim county assessor, reviewed his report. He has been interim assessor for the past several months and will continue in that capacity to the end of this month. Residential value trends … [Read more...]

At the June 10 meeting of the city council, proposed Ordinance #471 for a Motorized Golf Cart was tabled to clarify insurance and age issues. The proposed ordinance was drafted to regulate the use of a motorized golf cart on public streets and public areas within the city. The ordinance requires the operator to have a valid driver’s license. The operator must have insurance … [Read more...]

At the June 11 meeting of the county board, Lindsi Engle, Human Resources officer, asked the board to consider a new part-time position in the Recorder’s Office and a new full-time position for Public Health. Engle explained the Recorder’s Office is handling a lot of new and changing tasks. Currently working in that office are Recorder Roxane Kraling, a full-time account … [Read more...]

A draft ordinance was discussed at the county board’s June 4 meeting. The ordinance is intended to protect health and safety. It details rules and regulations for actual use of cannabinoid products in public places. Public Health educator, Brenda Pohlman and County Attorney Brett Corson worked on a review of a first draft. The Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) provided … [Read more...]

At the June 3 city council meeting, the Preston City Council approved a lease and management agreement with the Preston Historical Society (PHS) for the former Dairy & Farm building at 304 Fillmore St. E. The agreement is between the city, Preston Public Utilities (PPU) and PHS. The agreement also includes the Historic Milwaukee Road Elevator and railroad display. The … [Read more...]

Sheriff John DeGeorge, Chief Deputy Lance Boyum, and Investigator Dan Dornink explained the need to upgrade equipment at the county board’s May 28 meeting. Boyum said they had met with Motorola Solutions regarding an upgrade to the squad car camera mobile upload system. They also received information on body cameras. The current camera mobile system is at its maximum … [Read more...]

At the May 28 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a public hearing was held on the proposed ordinance # 472 to regulate the use of special vehicles within the city limits. The ordinance as proposed requires a permit to operate special vehicles on public streets and public areas. A provision is included for the issuance of a disabled permit in certain instances. Enforcement … [Read more...]

Members of a committee were appointed and approved to continue negotiations and to draft an agreement between the city and the Preston Historical Society (PHS) at the city council’s May 20 meeting. Committee members include City Attorney Dwight Luhmann, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton, Mayor Kurt Reicks, Councilman Steve Hall, and PHS president Sheila Craig. At the city … [Read more...]