At the September 26 meeting of the county board, Blake Lea was hired to fill the newly created position of Land Use Director, effective September 29. In August the board voted to restructure the Zoning Department, which was supported by the current Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins. This day, the new job classification for Assistant Land Use Director was approved. Approval … [Read more...]
Preston Approves Paving Projects
At the September 18 meeting, the Preston, Minn., City Council approved two small paving projects that can be completed along with a third utility project. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton said there could be savings by doing the projects together. The trail extension to the veterans home will be a city-only cost totaling $9,736.33. Griffin … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Approves Property Tax Abatement
At the September 12 county board meeting, a resolution was adopted approving the property tax abatement related to Lamon Housing Project (developers Richard and Cheryl Lamon) in the city of Lanesboro. A public hearing was held during which there was no comment from the public. Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, Inc., presented the basics of the plan. This project has a … [Read more...]
West Chatfield Drainage Project Nears Completion
Craig Britton, Widseth, reported on the progress of both the Drainage Project and the 2023 Street Improvement Project at the city council’s September 11 meeting. Councilors Paul Novotny and Josh Broadwater were absent. Work began on the West Chatfield Drainage Project in July, and it was substantially completed by the middle of August. Pearson Backhoe Service, Inc. still has … [Read more...]
Preston Adopts 2024 Preliminary Levy
The Preston City Council adopted the preliminary 2024 levy with an increase of 5.84% at their September 5 meeting. The preliminary levy is set at $1,201,705 with an increase of $66,301 from the 2023 levy. When the final levy is adopted in December it can be reduced but not increased. The preliminary numbers are used for property owner valuation notices. City Administrator … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Sets Public Hearing for Hemp Ordinance Revisions
At the September 5 meeting of the county board, two issues dominated the board’s time, discussion of recommended changes to the Hemp Ordinance and the 2024 budget. Chairman Larry Hindt was absent. Revisions and clarifications to the ordinance that was adopted on May 23 are proposed to make it consistent with Minnesota legislation (Statutes 151.72 and 342). The ordinance will … [Read more...]
3rd Judicial District Honored With ESGR Award
On August 18 retired Judge Matthew Opat was presented with a statewide Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) award, a Department of Defense program, on behalf of the Third Judicial District. ESGR was established in 1972 and was designed to promote cooperation and understanding between National Guard and Reserve employees and their civilian employers. ESGR encourages … [Read more...]
Chatfield Approves IT Upgrades
Finance and information systems director Kay Wangen reported that the Personnel/Budget Committee supports replacing/upgrading the city’s server at the August 28 meeting of the Chatfield city council. Replacement of the 2018 server is necessary as it will no longer be supported by HP as of January 6, 2024. The replacement of the server is part of the Capital Improvement Plan … [Read more...]
2022 Fillmore County Audit Presented
At the August 22 meeting of the county board, Miranda Wendlandt, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, presented the audit for the year ending on December 31, 2022. The audit was issued on August 3, which is well ahead of the September 30 deadline. An unmodified (“clean”) opinion was issued on the financial statements, which is the highest level of assurance. Wendlandt listed some control … [Read more...]
Preston to Order New Ambulance
At the city council’s August 21 meeting, Ambulance Director Deb Ristau reported on the department’s fleet of three ambulances. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. The 2013 Ford F450 from Lanesboro has had numerous mechanical issues. A new ambulance is estimated to cost $330,185 and if ordered now may not be delivered for two-and-a-half to three years. The trade-in value of the 2013 … [Read more...]
Chatfield Creates TIF District for Apartment Complex
Chris Giesen, EDA coordinator, detailed the request from Main Street Properties LLP (partners Mark Welch and Mike Sogla) for assistance through redevelopment tax increment financing (TIF) at the city council’s August 14 meeting. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. The former apartment building located on Grand St. was destroyed by a fire in November 2022. The damaged structure … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Restructuring Plans for Zoning Office
At the August 8 board meeting, County Administrator Bobbie Hillery suggested a detailed plan to restructure the Zoning Office. The board had just approved the retirement of Kristi Ruesink, accounting technician, with thanks for her 35 years of service, effective January 4, 2024. She was thanked especially for the advanced notice of her retirement. Hillery said there have … [Read more...]
Preston Historical Society Annual Report
Debbie Thompson presented the annual report and funding request for the Preston Historical Society (PHS) at the Preston, Minn., city council August 7 meeting. The report was put together by Sheila Craig, president of PHS, and included numerous activities throughout the year. Most city council members are members of the historical society. Some of the activities of the PHS are … [Read more...]
Children’s Mental Health Case Management
Fillmore County Children’s Mental Health case workers made their first presentation to the county board at the August 1 meeting. The county terminated its contract with Hiawatha Valley Mental Health in Winona on May 1. The county now provides children’s mental health services. The Fillmore County Children’s Mental Health team includes caseworkers Ashley Greden, Andrea … [Read more...]
Fillmore County continues 2024 budgeting process
Four departmental budgets were reviewed at the county board’s July 25 meeting. Terry Schultz, Facilities Maintenance supervisor, detailed budgets for the Building Maintenance department and Infrastructure. The proposed Building Maintenance budget is about $20,000 higher than the 2023 budget, or $563,195 for 2024. The increase is mostly due to gross salaries and the county … [Read more...]