Over the last couple of months the county board has been considering a shuffling of offices for Tax Payer Services to fit them all on one level of the courthouse. On April 2 the board came to an agreement and unanimously approved a new office arrangement. Lands Records Director Brian Hoff and Auditor/Treasurer Heidi Jones were concerned about space and noise. Hoff addressed … [Read more...]
Walz releases revised budget proposal
Governor Tim Walz (DFL) announced his revised budget on March 22 for the 2020-21 biennium (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021). The budget was revised due to the predicted economic slow down. Forecast numbers released late in February suggest that the state’s surplus will be closer to $1 billion, a half a billion less than the prior forecast. The revised budget totals $49.35 … [Read more...]
Chatfield replaces ToolCat/sweeper
The March 25 Chatfield City Council meeting was relatively brief. Brian Burkholder, Public Works, asked for approval to replace the 2015 ToolCat and sweeper attachment. The lowest of two quotes was received from Bobcat of Coole Region, Inc. out of Dresback. The total with trade for the purchase of a 2019 ToolCat is $11,555 and the total with trade for the new sweeper … [Read more...]
County supports long term sustainable funding for transportation
Fillmore County Commissioners, at their March 26 meeting, voted unanimously to adopt a resolution encouraging the Minnesota Legislature to pass a bill that provides adequate funding for Minnesota’s statewide transportation system. This resolution is supported and advocated by the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) and the Minnesota Transportation Alliance. Chairman Duane … [Read more...]
Preston approves purchase of veterans home site
At the March 18 Preston City Council meeting, the purchase of 16.6 acres from Robert Doherty was unanimously approved. The total cost for the property is $232,400. The city paid $15,000 against the purchase price months ago to extend the option. The remaining cost for the city is $217,400. This is about an acre and a half more than the city initially intended to purchase. The … [Read more...]
Celebrating outdoor recreation in Fillmore County
Many of us enjoy outdoor recreation. Fortunately for us, Fillmore County is blessed with the availability of a variety of outdoor recreational activities. A summit will be held on March 29 (8:30 a.m. to noon) at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center to recognize the economic value/impact realized by Fillmore County, local businesses, and groups involved in outdoor … [Read more...]
County offices remodel ongoing
Remodeling construction options for the main floor of the courthouse to house Taxpayer Services offices resulted in a very lengthy discussion at the county board’s March 12 meeting. Plans involve moving auditor/treasurer employees across the hall to the area now occupied by the assessor. The assessor office employees and zoning and feedlot will move to the area now occupied … [Read more...]
Twiford St. development agreement amended
Chris Giesen, economic development coordinator, described EDA recommended changes to a development agreement with DGI Minnesota, Inc. at the Chatfield City Council’s March 11 meeting. Due to some title issues that the EDA is working to resolve, it has become necessary to allow time extensions and also some language changes to the development agreement. Giesen said the … [Read more...]
Future veterans home, survey completed
At the March 4 city council meeting, Preston City Administrator Joe Hoffman provided the state’s survey map and legal descriptions for the property that is expected to be the future site of a state veterans home. The city has a purchase agreement with Robert Doherty for the property. The surveyed area includes 14.43 acres. Once the option to buy is exercised and the city … [Read more...]
Access to county land for CWD disease management control granted
The March 5 county board meeting was dominated by the citizens input section of the agenda. Several came forward urging the board to reconsider last week’s action. At the February 26 board meeting a request from the DNR to have access to county land was denied. In the minutes it stated the chair was authorized to “share the board’s wishes for no hunting, no access onto the … [Read more...]