The Chatfield City Council, at their April 24 meeting, approved the televising of 6,743 feet of sanitary sewer line. Most of the city’s sanitary sewer system was televised in 2012. Brian Burkholder explained that in 2012 about 2,500 feet of sewer line under Highway 52 was found to be in poor condition. It is expected that the highway will be overlayed in 2019. It is prudent to … [Read more...]
County discusses state auditor’s assessment
Fillmore County’s audit for 2015 was conducted by Eide Bailly LLP. Over a quarter of Minnesota counties hired a private firm to do their audit in 2015. State Auditor Rebecca Otto asked for a review of county audits conducted by private CPA firms. A report was released, “Assessing the Adequacy of 2015 County Audits Performed by Private CPA Firms.” Manager Joel Stencel and Brian … [Read more...]
Facelift for Preston City Hall
At the April 17 Preston City Council meeting, City Administrator Joe Hoffman reported on the rehab progress on city hall. Two plus inches of foam insulation has been installed, the sign company will come in next to install brackets for the mural, then a mesh will be installed before the stucco. The roofing company is also working on the installation of a new roof. Still to … [Read more...]
County Board discusses veterans home proposal
Several veterans and Rep. Greg Davids attended the April 11 County Board meeting for a discussion regarding the proposal for a state veterans home to be located in Fillmore County. County EDA Director Sam Smith, Preston and Spring Valley EDA Director Cathy Enerson, and Rep. Davids lead the discussion. Smith explained the EDA is looking at the proposed veterans home from a … [Read more...]
Chatfield 2016 audit presented
Jason Boynton, Smith Schafer and Associates, delivered an unmodified, clean opinion during his review of the city’s 2016 audit at the council’s April 10 meeting. Chatfield’s tax capacity of $1,619,199 is an increase from 2015 to 2016. The general tax levy makes up 20% of total government revenue. Tax Increment Financing in 2016 was $88,564. Local Government Aid provides 10% … [Read more...]
National Trout Center update
Jeff Broberg, geologist, environmental consultant, and NTC board member, spoke to the Preston City Council about the center’s activities at the council’s April 3 meeting. Broberg, an avid fisherman, named other NTC board members that come together giving their time and energy to make the center work. Board member George Spangler was in the audience. The center was started … [Read more...]
County discusses courthouse security
Sheriff Tom Kaase asked the board to support a grant application to help pay for courthouse security at the board’s April 3 meeting. Commissioner Marc Prestby was absent. It is written in the grant application for state funds that the “Fillmore County Courthouse complex has very limited security.” The grant if awarded could help fund for the first year a dedicated courthouse … [Read more...]
Lt. Governor Smith tours POET
Lt. Governor Tina Smith visited POET in Preston on March 24 to learn more about advances and innovations in the production of ethanol and its effect on the economy. With a background in business, Smith was interested in how the state may be a better partner. General Manager Chris Hanson expressed his enthusiasm about the plant’s production of ethanol and related by products … [Read more...]
County approves solid waste agreement with Harter’s Quick Clean-up
At the March 28 county board meeting, the proposed agreement with Harter’s Quick Clean-up, La Crosse, was discussed at length. The agreement for waste disposal services, rural recycling disposal, recycling, processing and marketing services was approved with some changes and wording corrections. The agreement begins on April 1, 2017 and is initially for five years. Matt … [Read more...]
Chatfield to update website
At the March 27 Chatfield City Council meeting, City Clerk Joel Young discussed a proposal to update the city’s website to make it more appealing and user friendly. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. Vendor GovOffice Content Management System grew out of an initiative of the League of Minnesota Cities. The proposal to construct, maintain, and manage the city’s website will … [Read more...]