At the March 19 Preston City Council meeting, Ambulance Director Ryan Throckmorton recommended approval of a per capita increase from $10 to $14, effective in 2019. The increase is needed to build up fund balance for ambulance purchases and operating expenses. Councilman David Collett was absent. The per capita payment for the ambulance service was set in 1999 at $7 and was … [Read more...]
Temporary concrete batch plant for CSAH 1 paving
The Fillmore County Planning Commission held their first meeting of 2018 on March 15. The last meeting of 2017 was held on October 26. Zoning administrator Cristal Adkins opened the meeting and welcomed new member Trinity Johnson. Johnson will replace Brad Erickson who retired from the committee after 12 years of service. Gary Ruskell was elected chairman and Steve Duxbury was … [Read more...]
Chafield approves pension benefit raise for firefighters
Luke Thieke, president of the Relief Association, reviewed the association’s financial statement at the March 12 meeting of the Chatfield City Council. Thieke reported that their finances are in excellent shape. A raise of $550 per year of service was proposed, allowing for a total of $2,300 per year of service. To qualify for full pension benefits a firefighter must complete … [Read more...]
County adopts five-year highway construction improvement plan
At the March 13 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, County Engineer Ron Gregg presented the county’s five-year highway construction improvement plan (2017-2021). The five-year capital improvement plan had been discussed in the Highway committee. Gregg noted changes may occur, as the plan is subject to funding and priority. Chairman Mitch Lentz commented that needed projects … [Read more...]
Preston signs Doherty land option/purchase agreement
At the March 5 meeting of the Preston City Council, City Attorney Dwight Luhmann was instructed to send the signed and updated option/purchase agreement to Robert Doherty for his signature. The city has held an option on the approximately 15 acres of Doherty land for about four years. This agreement will purchase an extension of that option agreement at a cost of $15,000 for … [Read more...]
Failure to recycle cardboard costs county
Commissioners discussed fines imposed by Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill for cardboard contaminated loads at their March 6 meeting. Andrew Hatzenbihler, solid waste administrator, reported the county has been charged $150 per ton (normally $68 per ton) on a trailer load delivered to the landfill on February 13 because of cardboard contamination. Hatzenbihler said … [Read more...]
County thanks employees for their service
At the February 27 meeting of the County Board, Fillmore County employees were recognized for their contribution to the county. Each year employees that have been with the county for 5, 10 15, 20, 25, or 30 years are given a certificate of appreciation for their service. This year 27 employees were recognized. Todd Kokinos, maintenance specialist, III, Highway De partment, … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s 2017 annual activity reports
Chatfield councilors listened to annual reports for 2017 from Planning and Zoning, Heritage Preservation, and the Economic Development Authority at their February 26 meeting. Kristi Clarke, consultant/city planner, reported that the city gained 19 new single family residences in 2017. New residential construction and remodels added over $5 million of value. The city is left … [Read more...]
Preston to convert to LED street lights
At the February 20 meeting of the Preston City Council, a motion to convert the city’s 422 street lights to LEDs was approved unanimously. The city will take advantage of rebates offered by the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA). Jim Bakken, Public Works, explained the street lights are operated by the city’s public utility, but the city pays the utility for the … [Read more...]
Walz staff listens to community concerns and ideas
A large number of community members participated in Walz’s “Southern Minnesota Way of Life Tour” at the F & M Bank community room on February 8. This mix of employers, people associated with business, farmers, local government officials, and educators were asked for their ideas and given the opportunity to express their concerns as they relate to transportation, … [Read more...]