At the August 24 meeting of the Preston City Council, the first draft of the 2018 budget and levy was reviewed. The total levy in this draft would be $894,425, or $62,931 more than in 2017. This represents a 7.57% increase. Year 2018 payments being made for two relatively recent construction/improvement projects contribute significantly to the budget; Twenty-14 street project … [Read more...]
Financing for Industrial Drive project approved
Mike Bubany, David Drown and Associates, reviewed the plan to finance the Industrial Drive Improvement project during a public hearing at the August 28 meeting of the Chatfield City Council. The total project cost including associated financing expenses is $908,440. Three sources of funding will be used including a $457,000 general obligation tax abatement note (series … [Read more...]
County Jail inspection report discussed
Sheriff Tom Kaase reviewed the Fillmore County Jail inspection report at the board’s August 22 meeting. The Minnesota Department of Correction’s (DOC) annual inspection of the facility was conducted from May 10 through May 16, 2017. Inspectors found that the “jail does not provide a properly trained food service provider at the facility.” The DOC requested an immediate plan to … [Read more...]
Congressman Walz’s staff visits proposed veterans home sites
Thanks to Dave Goodmanson, Fountain, who called Congressman Tim Walz’s office last week, three of the congressman’s staff visited Fillmore County on August 15 for most of the day. Goodmanson called about the city’s wastewater facility discussed in another article in this paper. About three months ago Cathy Enerson, who is the EDA director for both Preston and Spring Valley, … [Read more...]
Chatfield to “See what the voters want” in November
At the August 14 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a long discussion ensued concerning the construction of a new swimming pool. Councilor Joshua Broadwater was absent. Julie Henry, co-chair on the swimming pool committee, presented results of a survey conducted by Community Perceptions, an independent research organization. The survey was conducted in July with a 28% … [Read more...]
Fountain called its congressman
Congressman Tim Walz’s office received a call from Dave Gudmundson last week asking for assistance. Walz staffers Josh Syrjamaki, Chief of Staff, and Peder Kjeseth, Agriculture and Energy Outreach Director, listened to concerns during an August 15 Fountain council meeting. Mayor Richard Kujath made clear the main concern is the high cost of wastewater operation. Potentially, it … [Read more...]
County accepts airport grant
At the August 8 meeting of the county board, airport plans/budget and the 2018 Highway department preliminary budget dominated the discussion. The grant which was accepted is in the amount of $486,041 from the Federal Aviation Administration for an updated Master Plan and rehab of pavements and apron (crack repair and seal coating). The state and the county will each provide … [Read more...]
Preston to consider extending police services to Fountain
Due to the impending retirement of Fountain’s long time part-time police chief Tom Mosher, Fountain has invited Preston staff to meet with them on August 14 to discuss the possibility of Preston contracting with Fountain for police services. In a related matter, a revised contract with the city of Lanesboro was approved at the August 7 Preston City Council meeting. Councilman … [Read more...]
MnDOT introduces 10-year plan
At the August 1 County Board meeting, District 6 planning director Ronda Allis detailed MnDOT plans for the coming decade. District 6 includes 11 southeastern Minnesota counties. As part of MnDOT’s outreach, effort local government units are presented with an overview of the 10-year plan. Planned projects in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program will be done in the … [Read more...]
Kevin Beck appointed chief deputy
After an extended discussion over the chief deputy agreement at the July 25 board meeting, Kevin Beck was appointed chief deputy sheriff effective July 28 to replace recently retired Tony Webber. Beck has been with the department 22 years, currently serving as emergency manager/assistant jail administrator. Beck will be leaving a Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) union … [Read more...]