At the March 28 Planning Commission, a public hearing was held regarding the proposed replacement language of Section 709, Solar Energy Systems and the added Section 740, Solar Energy Farms. Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins explained the commission had decided to retain the existing Wind Energy Conversion Systems language and to address solar systems separately. The … [Read more...]
Preston receives an AA- bond rating
At the April 1 meeting of the Preston City Council, City Administrator Joe Hoffman cited reasons for the recent S&P Global bond rating of AA-/Stable for the city. This is a downgrade from an AA rating received by the city in 2013. That year the city was upgraded from AA- to AA. One reason for the downgrade is the city’s reserves have decreased as a percentage of … [Read more...]
County sets physical location of taxpayer services offices
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...]