At the December 12 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, City Clerk Joel Young took a look back at 2016 and ahead to 2017. During the Truth in Taxation hearing, Young detailed capital acquisitions made in 2016, topping the list was the purchase of a pumper/rescue truck. Some of the other capital expenditures included the replacement of the front steps of the Thurber Building … [Read more...]
Preston property tax increase questioned
Marc Sather, Jailhouse Inn, insisted that the 11% increase in his property taxes is too high. He raised numerous questions at the Preston City Council’s December 6 meeting. City Administrator Joe Hoffman reviewed the numbers in the preliminary budget/levy for 2017 during the city’s Truth in Taxation public hearing. The total levy for 2017 is expected to be $831,494, or a … [Read more...]
Chatfield takes out water revenue note
The Chatfield City Council approved a loan agreement with the Bank of Zumbrota for a $425,000 General Obligation Water Revenue Note to finance the city’s water meter project, which includes the replacement of water meters and meter reading equipment and software. Councilor Ken Jacobson was absent. City Clerk Joel Young explained that the Minnesota Rural Water “Modified” … [Read more...]
Rushford Village looks to fill committees
The Rushford Village council will continue at with Mayor Gordon Johnson at the helm for at least another four years. The November 8 election did however see the replacement of incumbent Todd Baker (108 votes) with Mike Ebner (360 votes) for one of the two seats up for grabs. Incumbent Dennis Overland will serve another term as councilor after receiving the most votes (387). The … [Read more...]
Chatfield accepts bid for drainage ditch improvements
At the November 14 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a bid from Griffin Construction for drainage ditch improvements at County Road 10 and Burr Oaks St. was approved. Councilor Ken Jacobson was absent. Mark Welch, G-Cubed Inc. engineer, explained that project specifications were sent out to eight contractors. Three bids were received, one was rescinded. Griffin … [Read more...]
County discusses key employee positions
At the November 8 meeting of the County Board, possible structural adjustments for a couple of key employees were discussed. Jessica Erickson, Director of Nursing, had submitted her resignation, which was accepted at the October 25 meeting. She resigned to maintain family life balance. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman said Erickson was willing to do the work of the … [Read more...]
President-elect Trump
Pollsters got it wrong, political professionals got it wrong. What a shock. The people have spoken. They made clear their disgust with Washington and the status quo and voted instead for uncertainty. Social media has changed the campaign landscape. Trump, the salesman, used digital communication to his benefit. Donald Trump will be the first American president with no … [Read more...]
Maintenance Supervisor Schultz to head solid waste department
Restructuring of the Solid Waste Department following the retirement of solid waste administrator Jon Martin took a step forward at the county board’s November 1 meeting. County Engineer Ron Gregg had considered taking over as department head of Solid Waste, but declined to take on the additional responsibility for the pay offered. Building maintenance supervisor Terry … [Read more...]
Water quality vs Amish faith
The observance of strict religious tenets and beliefs versus the protection of quality drinking water has been the focal point of Fillmore County versus Ammon Swartzentruber and Sarah Swartzentruber. The Swartzentrubers, Harmony Township, were issued a “cease and desist” order to stop all construction on a new house in June 2014. The young Amish man, Ammon Swartzentruber did … [Read more...]
County to contract with Waste Management
By Karen Reisner Solid Waste Administrator Jon Martin reported at the county board’s October 25 meeting that the county has received two proposals for waste and recycling services. Waste Management and Harter’s Quick Clean-up offered their rates for landfill and recycling services. While there would be significant savings with Harter’s for landfill services, WM had … [Read more...]