At the October 21 meeting of the Fillmore County Planning Commission, Jeremiah Daggett’s application for a conditional use permit for a portable sawmill was discussed during a public hearing. The sawmill will be on his property located in Section 1, Jordan Township. Daggett explained the portable sawmill will have a 36-foot cut capacity with a 17-foot bed which will limit the … [Read more...]
Tourism funding requests
At the October 26 meeting of the Fillmore County board, Gabby Kinneberg, Fillmore County representative for the Southern Minnesota Tourism Association, and Jen Hengel, representing Root River Trail Towns, reported on their activities in 2021 and requested 2022 appropriations. Kinneberg said Southern Minnesota Tourism represents 36 counties across southern Minnesota. Much of … [Read more...]
Preston sets assessment hearing
At the October 18 meeting of the city council the public assessment hearing for the 2021 Street and Utility Improvements was set for November 15. Councilman David Collett was absent. The city’s consultant engineer Brett Grabau updated the council on the progress of the project. Paving started this day and Grabau expects it to continue later in the week. The contractor Alcon … [Read more...]
Chatfield establishes Infant Loss Remembrance Day
At a relatively brief October 11 city council meeting, Mayor Russ Smith read and the council approved a resolution recognizing October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. In 1988, then President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Minnesota Infants Remembered in Silence, Inc. (IRIS) … [Read more...]
Staffing changes/additions for Fillmore County
At the October 12 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, a number of staffing changes/additions were considered. The board approved requests to advertise for an additional full-time social worker, an additional full-time RN or Public Health nurse, and an additional full-time case aide. All three positions will be funded mostly with American Recovery dollars. The additional … [Read more...]
Preston discusses city hall upgrades and maintenance
At the October 4 meeting of the Preston City Council, City Administrator Joe Hoffman listed a variety of repairs and/or upgrades that are needed at city hall. The building is 106 years old. A professional will need to look at the exterior of the building to give an estimate for tuckpointing the exterior brick. Some bricks are falling out. Door locks are 25 years old and don’t … [Read more...]
Fillmore County discusses uses of American Recovery dollars
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery lead a discussion on appropriate uses for American Rescue Plan Act dollars at the board’s October 5 meeting. The county will receive about $4 million total. The deadline to spend the funds is December 31, 2024. A preliminary budget for the use of the funding is due January 2022. Hillery offered some ideas presented by county department … [Read more...]
CARES reimbursements reduce Fillmore County preliminary levy
County Sdministrator Bobbie Hillery explained how CARE’s Reimbursements could reduce the Fillmore County levy at the board’s September 28 meeting. Early budget numbers had already been reduced with adjusted insurance costs. Hillery listed other adjustments that were made to reduce the 2022 levy number. Using CARES funding salary reimbursements for Public Health, Emergency … [Read more...]
Variance for holding tank approved
The Fillmore County Board of Adjustment, at their September 23 meeting, held a public hearing to consider a variance request for the installation of a holding tank. The variance requested will allow the tank to be installed closer to the right of way than specified in the ordinance. The applicant’s property is located in the city of Whalan. Whalan does not have a city … [Read more...]
Chatfield sets preliminary levy
The city council set the preliminary levy for 2022 at $2,337,277 or a 3.98% increase (just under $90,000) over the 2021 levy. Councilor Dave Frank was absent from the September meeting. City Clerk Joel Young presented three proposals for the council to consider for the levy. The first proposal would have had a levy increase of 7.3%. A reduction of $75,000 to wastewater … [Read more...]