Sheriff Tom Kaase presented his department’s budget proposals for 2017 at the September 13 county board meeting. During his presentation, courthouse security options were discussed. Kaase has about $77,000 included in his budget for a court security person. More options for courthouse security including cameras, one point of entry only, screening people coming to the court … [Read more...]
Preston discusses 2017 budget
City Administrator Joe Hoffman presented some possible adjustments to the 2017 budget at the city council’s September 6 meeting. Councilman Dave Harrison was absent. The initial draft of the budget was discussed at the August 23 meeting with a $54,000 levy increase over last year, or 6.77%. Hoffman noted there was no increase in health insurance premiums, but none had been … [Read more...]
County to trim 2017 Budget
At the September 6 meeting of the county board, the commissioners, by consensus, set a goal to limit the levy increase to less than 6 or 7%. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman reviewed preliminary numbers for 2017. Vickerman said based on what each of the departments presented, before any changes are figured in, the levy increase could potentially be over 15%, or about $1.4 … [Read more...]
Governing in 2017
Our new president will be inaugurated on January 20, 2017. Leading and governing, especially after this election cycle, will be extremely challenging. Neither candidate has the trust of even a majority of the electorate; neither will have a mandate. We hear over and over that this is a “change” election. How each of us defines “change” probably covers a wide spectrum of … [Read more...]
Chatfield Center for the Arts agreement
At the August 22 city council meeting, an agreement between the city of Chatfield and the city’s EDA concerning the Center for the Arts was approved. The Economic Development Authority owns the Center for the Arts and they have an agreement with Chatfield Center for the Arts, Inc. (a non-profit group incorporated in 2011) to operate the facility. In the city’s agreement … [Read more...]
Preston discusses 2017 budget
City Administrator Joe Hoffman presented some possible adjustments to the 2017 budget at the city council’s September 6 meeting. Councilman Dave Harrison was absent. The initial draft of the budget was discussed at the August 23 meeting with a $54,000 levy increase over last year, or 6.77%. Hoffman noted there was no increase in health insurance premiums, but none had been … [Read more...]
County’s aging computer system
County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman lead the discussion about the need to purchase new servers at the county board’s August 23 meeting. Commissioner Mitch Lentz was absent. During the review of the Information Systems (IS) budget Vickerman recommended a $205,000 increase for 2017 in the equipment purchase budget. The additional funding would be used to purchase switches and … [Read more...]
Meet the interim auditor/treasurer
Carrie Huffman was appointed by the county board of commissioners on June 7 to serve as the interim auditor/treasurer. She will serve as A/T until the end of the elected term of Shirl Boelter, who resigned on May 31. Kristina Kohn, Human Resources, told the board on June 7 that Carrie Huffman is the right person with the knowledge needed for the job. Kohn recognized that the … [Read more...]