The Fillmore County Board held their last meeting of 2020 on December 22. On December 14 and 15, the Minnesota state legislature approved a second round of county administered business and nonprofit relief grants. The grants are intended to provide financial aid to businesses and nonprofits that have been impacted by an executive order related to COVID-19. Fillmore County will … [Read more...]

In 2017 the Crown Hill Cemetery Association first approached the City of Preston about the possibility of assuming ownership and operation of the cemetery. On December 21 the city council formally accepted ownership of the cemetery grounds and buildings, effective December 31. The city commits to the future maintenance of the cemetery. The Cemetery Association voted … [Read more...]

At the December 14 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, the final levy for 2021 was approved. The levy increase is 3.98%, or $86,101. The total 2021 levy will be $2,247,789. City Clerk Joel Young reviewed 2020 and took a look forward to 2021 during the Truth in Taxation public hearing required by state statute. Due to the COVID pandemic the antiquated telephone system in … [Read more...]

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...]