Preston’s December 7 city council meeting centered on the presentation of the annual city budget and proposed tax levy; this hearing is required by the state and allows for public comment. However, the actual proposed levy ended up being of less concern than the significant residential valuation increases. Residential property taxes will be up significantly next year (a 15 to … [Read more...]

Fillmore County’s distribution under the CARES Act was over $2.5 million. The deadline for purchases was this day, December 1. Several last minute purchases were approved. The ninth extension of the Declaration of Emergency for continuing operations from the COVID-19 was approved, extending it to January 5, 2021. County CARES funds were distributed through grants to businesses … [Read more...]

County Administrator Bobbie Hillery explained the Truth in Taxation hearing, which was held on December 1, is required by state law. The public hearing is held at 6:30 p.m. to allow more participation from the public. Three members of the public attended the hearing in person. The meeting could be accessed via Webex or telephone. Hillery began by reviewing 2020. She detailed … [Read more...]

At the November 23 Chatfield City Council meeting, Deborah and Frederick Gerlach were recognized with the 2020 Heritage Preservation Award. Each year during Preservation Month (October) someone who has contributed to the restoration and preservation of Chatfield’s history is selected to be honored with this award. The recognition this year was for the couple’s donation of … [Read more...]

At the Fillmore County Board’s November 24 meeting, Commissioner Duane Bakke reported that the COVID cases in Fillmore County have more than doubled in the last couple of weeks. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery admitted there have been COVID cases among the staff or staff that has had contact with COVID positive individuals, requiring some staff members to quarantine. She … [Read more...]

The Fillmore County Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment worked through a busy agenda at their November 19 meetings. Four Condition Use Permit (CUP) applications were brought forward for public comment. Caleb Benson, section 27 Newburg Township, requested that five acres of property, located on the north side of Mabel, be rezoned from Agricultural to B1 (General … [Read more...]

At the November 16 Preston City Council meeting a resolution, which is required by state statute, was approved declaring a vacancy on the city council. The council seat has been vacant since the resignation of Holly Zuck, which was accepted at the November 2 meeting. In the recent general election, dean Aug was elected to the city council seat previously held by Zuck, but he … [Read more...]

At the November 10 Fillmore County Board meeting, County Administrator Bobbie Hillery presented the Personnel Committee’s wish to bring forth the option of appointing the Auditor/Treasurer position. Legislation (MS375A.1205, Subdivision 1) was passed in 2019 that lays out the process/guidelines for a county to make the A/T an appointed position. Why appoint rather than elect? … [Read more...]

Cities have until November 15 to submit their expenditures that qualify for CARES Act funding. At the November 9 Chatfield City Council meeting, November CARES expenditures were approved. Councilors John McBroom and Mike Urban were absent. Top of the list of expenditures was a telephone system upgrade at a cost of $19,135. Door lock repairs and the reconstruction of the city … [Read more...]