The Fillmore County Planning Commission held a public hearing on proposed amendments to the county’s Sub-Surface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance at their March 18 meeting. The language regarding escrow accounts resulted in the most discussion. When a property is sold or transferred the SSTS must be inspected. If a SSTS is found to be non-compliant, it must be brought up to … [Read more...]
Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclaimed in Fillmore County
Fillmore County proclaims April 2021 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month at their March 23 meeting. Sarah Monroe, Victim Services, and Kari Berg, Corrections, reported that sexual assault is widespread. The three county area (Dodge, Fillmore, and Olmsted) of victim services served about 600 victims of sexual violence in 2020. Sexual Assault Awareness Month was first observed … [Read more...]
Chatfield accepts 2020 audit report
Jason Boynton, Smith-Schafer & Associates, LTD., reviewed Chatfield’s financial summary for 2020 at the city council’s March 22 meeting. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. The city received an unmodified “clean” opinion for 2020. The city’s tax capacity increased from 2019 to over $2 million. The general tax levy revenues represented 49% of the total governmental revenues. … [Read more...]
Preston approves bid for 2021 street and utility project
City Engineer Brett Grabau explained at the March 15 Preston City Council meeting that the city had received three bids for the 2021 Street and Utility Project. The low bid was submitted by Alcon Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $3,107,040.97 for the main project and $55,055.05 for the alternate project (retaining walls). The bid was lower than the engineer’s estimate, which … [Read more...]
Rushford receives project updates
At the March 8 Rushford Council meeting, Public Works Director Roger Knutson presented a list of projects undertaken by the department in 2020. “You’d think it would be slow because of COVID, but I think it was the busiest year we’ve had, because of COVID,” said Knutson. Utilities comprise a sizable portion of work for the department. The city’s system breaks down into what … [Read more...]
Chatfield approves subdivision expansion and mixed use property
A public hearing was held at the March 9 meeting of the Chatfield City Council concerning the proposal to expand the “Hilltop Estates Third Subdivision” to nine lots. G-Cubed Development requested the development agreement approved in August of 2020 be amended to include two blocks and nine lots on about 4.43 acres. Craig Britton, City Engineer and Planner, explained there … [Read more...]
Fillmore County assessment changes
Fillmore County Assessor Jason McCaslin presented a detailed review of 2021 assessment changes before the county commissioners at the March 9 board meeting. McCaslin explained his office is required to maintain the Median Sales Ratio between 90-105% in jurisdictions with six or more sales. If a jurisdiction is found to be out of compliance by the State Board of Equalization, … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Relief Grants approved
At the Fillmore County Board’s March 2 meeting, a list of county businesses was approved to receive a portion of the grant money which was received from the State of Minnesota. The grants are to provide financial relief for businesses impacted by the COVID pandemic. Applications for this second round of business grants were received from January 6 through February … [Read more...]
Trout Days and Pop-Up Markets
At the March 1 Preston City Council meeting, events scheduled for later this spring and summer were on the agenda. Ilene Edwards received approval to hold Pop-Up Markets on May 15, June 12, July 10, August 14, and September 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on each date. She noted the September 2020 market was the largest yet with 24 vendors and an abundance of shoppers. People were … [Read more...]
Three CUP applications recommended for approval
The Fillmore County Planning Commission held public hearings on three conditional use permit applications during their February 18 meeting. •Timothy Lawstuen applied for a CUP for a private campground in section 4, Fountain Township. The application is for seven camp sites. Currently, there are six campers being used just by family members. One of the six campers is used by … [Read more...]