The total preliminary levy in the amount of $2,885,640 for property taxes payable in 2026 was certified at the city council’s September 22 meeting. This represents an increase of $147,277, or 5.378 % over the 2025 levy. The final levy to be considered in December can be the same or lower, not higher. The Truth in Taxation Hearing will be held Monday, December 8.  Councilor … [Read more...]

At the September 11 meeting of the city council, a resolution was adopted setting the 2026 preliminary levy at $1,345,263. This represents a 5.53% increase, or an increase of $70,474. The Truth-in-Taxation public hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2025. The final levy will be adopted in December, which could be decreased but not increased. Mayor Kurt Reicks noted the … [Read more...]

At the Chatfield City Council’s September 8 meeting the updating of the city’s sidewalk ordinance and the requirement for sidewalks in the Hilltop III and IV Development Agreement led to a contentious discussion. In July 2024, the Hilltop III and IV developer formally requested an amendment to the existing agreements to remove the standard sidewalk requirement, to install … [Read more...]

The need for more childcare providers in Fillmore County was highlighted by Allison Whalen, CEDA, at the county board’s September 9 meeting. Whalen asked the board to support an application for the Minnesota Rural Child Care Innovation Program (RCCIP). First Children’s Finance RCCIP is a community process to address childcare challenges in rural America. Whalen explained … [Read more...]

At the September 2 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, a request from Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) members to divide union membership into three bargaining units was discussed. The division into three bargaining units would include upper-level personnel, deputies, and jail/dispatch employees. Minnesota statutes allow for a request from the majority of members to … [Read more...]

City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton presented a quote from American Legal Publishing to codify or provide an update of current regulations/ordinances at the city council’s September 2 meeting. Throckmorton explained the city has 21 new ordinances since the Preston City Code was last updated in 2022; the quote for codification is in the amount of $1,700 to $2,400. An … [Read more...]

At the August 26 county board meeting, Emergency Manager Jason Harmening asked commissioners to approve a letter to Governor Tim Walz requesting disaster assistance. The severe wind/rainstorm on July 28-29 resulted in damages across the county. On August 5 the board declared a local emergency. The county has submitted a damage/impact assessment. The preliminary assessment … [Read more...]

At the August 25 meeting of the city council, the purchase of three new updated mobile radios for squad vehicles at a total cost of $21,520 from Motorola Solutions was approved. The price includes services and equipment. Police Chief Shane Fox noted the radios currently in use are 20 years old. Liquor License Violation Chief Fox led an investigation into a potential … [Read more...]

Developer Andy Bunge submitted a request at the August 18 Preston City Council meeting for the council to add the improvement of the 300 block of North St. NE to the city’s street improvement priority list. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. Bunge said the development on that block is complete. He noted there was nothing in the development agreement with the city several years … [Read more...]

At the August 12 meeting of the county board, several more departments reviewed their proposed 2026 budgets. Jessica Erickson reviewed public health, WIC, and nursing service budgets. Most increases will be due to salary or insurance increases. Jason Marquardt reviewed the veterans budget. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery noted for budgeting purposes a 15% insurance … [Read more...]