Paul Zager, project manager, reviewed the final layout for Trunk Highway 52 mill & overlay project through the city of Chatfield at the city council’s July 14 meeting. The state project will run from the southern city limits for about 1.2 miles through the city. Councilors Josh Broadwater and Pam Bluhm were absent. Zager said the project includes the overlay of TH 52 and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Approves Job Classification Changes
Dr. Tessia Melvin, Human Resources, Inc. (David Drown Associates), provided a 2025 market analysis at the board’s July 8 meeting. She has worked 15 years in city and county government and is a former city administrator. A study, in part, helps local governments hire and maintain quality employees. Fillmore County’s pay plan is to maintain 5% of the market average. The market … [Read more...]
Preston/Lanesboro EDA Director
Michelle Marotzke, Preston/Lanesboro EDA director, introduced herself to the Preston City Council at the July 7 meeting. Marotzke has been on the job since May 26. She has a master’s degree in business administration and EDA municipal utility experience. Her previous employer was Kandiyohi County. Marotzke said she has lived most of her life in west central Minnesota, so the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Approves Three-Year Contract with LELS
The county has been in contract negotiations with Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) for a few months. At the July 1 meeting of the county board a three-year union contract was approved pending the union’s approval. Bobbie Hillery, county administrator, and Lindsi Engle, human resource officer, met with the LELS team with input from David Drown & Associates to … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Public Health Office Upgrades
At the June 24 meeting of the county board, Jessica Erickson, director of nursing, asked the board to consider new office structures to improve operational needs in her department. Erickson said additional revenues from state and other sources could offset costs of the upgrade so there would be little or no effect on the department’s budget or levy. Three quotes were … [Read more...]
Chatfield Approves Five-Year Street Plan and Issuance of Reconstruction Bonds
Two public hearings were held during the June 23 city council meeting. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, Inc., spoke during the combined public hearing regarding tax abatement and the 2025-2029 street reconstruction plan. The purpose of the hearings was to secure statutory authority for issuing debt. The tax abatement portion identifies … [Read more...]
Preston Sets Deadline for Diseased Tree Removal
At the June 16 meeting of the city counci, the issue of diseased trees (emerald ash borer) remaining on private property was again discussed. In July 2024, letters were sent out to property owners with dead and diseased trees asking property owners to look at their options for the removal of those trees. At this point, about 65% of diseased trees have been removed by property … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to Conduct Jail Tours for the Public
At the June 17 county board meeting Sheriff John DeGeorge said they were planning jail tours for the public on July 7 and 8 from 5-8 p.m. each day. The board accepted those two dates for the jail tours. DeGeorge, Dan Dornink,and Jamie Fenske will conduct the tours. Commissioners will attend, Marc Prestby on Monday and Mitch Lentz on Tuesday. DeGeorge reported they want to … [Read more...]
Chatfield Calls for Public Hearing on Street Reconstruction Plan
At the city council’s June 9 meeting, a resolution was adopted calling for a public hearing on a proposal for a five-year street reconstruction plan and the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund street reconstruction projects. The public hearing is to be held at the June 23 city council meeting. The street construction plan proposal covering the next five years includes … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Budgeting Schedule
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reviewed the budgeting schedule for the 2026 budget at the board’s May 3 meeting. Budgeting plans will include a possible 3% cost of living increase, an estimated 13% to 15% increased insurance cost, and the state requirements for family leave. Hillery explained everything will be put into the budget, which is required to provide a service. … [Read more...]