At the March 6 meeting, the Fountain Council welcomed AndreW Forliti, principal for Smith Schafer, to discuss the 2023 audit findings. Local Government Aid (LGA) provided to the city remained flat for the last four years, but it will increase slightly to $92,011 in 2024. The state funding currently provides 20% of the total city revenues. The city has needed to increase the … [Read more...]
Kirsten Zoellner
Reporter
kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Kirsten has been a reporter for Fillmore County Journal since 2008. No awards to date, but her mother finds her articles riveting. She enjoys shining a light on the great people and events in the county and has aspirations to someday write a novel about them. A native of Rushford, she is a member of Root River Community Church, co-founder of Odyssey Homeschool Association, and was the founder for the Rushford-Peterson Valley Farmers' Market.
When not writing, Kirsten happily spends her time raising a family alongside Joel, her husband of 18 years. She homeschools their six children (Evin, Lauren, Logan, Ada, Kathleen, and Emelia) and does her best to ensure domestic bliss. Kirsten is an advocate for conservation and homesteading and operates Liten Dal Farm, where the family raises dairy goats, pastured poultry and hogs, alpacas, a few steers, and horses. Hobbies other than juggling include the outdoors, reading, vegetable gardening, cheesemaking, fermenting various things in Ball jars, and making everything from scratch despite the fact that it probably costs more.
Kirsten and her family proudly reside in rural Fountain on her great-great-grandfather's farm.
You can follow more about Kirsten on the family's Facebook page, Liten Dal Farm, or their blog: ourprairienest.wordpress.com.
Rushford Getting New Public Transit Bus
At the February 26 meeting, the Rushford Council welcomed Rolling Hills Transit Director of Transportation Manager Bill Spitzer. He attended the meeting to discuss the program, Rushford bus details, area community details on ridership, services provided, funding needs, and plans. Spitzer hit on reasons why public transit is critical, including accessibility, affordability, … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Maintenance Work Continues
At the February 20 meeting, the Rushford Village Council learned from Public Works Supervisor that upgrades for the maintenance shed are nearing completion. The budget for 2024 includes $20,000 for it and projected work includes blown-in insulation, steel and equipment rental for the insulation. Estimates included for insulation and accessories were $8,532, while steel walls … [Read more...]
Rushford Business Park – Down to Just 2
The city of Rushford purchased 23.5 acres of farmland from Wallace Himlie in 2007. The $699,999 parcel sold for $31,000 an acre and was purchased as a potential site for Tri-County Electric to build a new complex after the 2007 flood destroyed their facilities and as an opportunity for potential growth and job development for the community. The city platted nine … [Read more...]
Fountain Grapples with Wastewater Repair
The Fountain Council again discussed needed repairs to the wastewater treatment plant lift station pump at the February 7 meeting. The current pump issues have been known for some time. There is no backup for it should it go out entirely. At the meeting, via conference call, was Mike Morris from MMS Environmental, with whom the city contracts for reporting and maintenance at … [Read more...]
Rushford Approves Business Subsidy
At the January 22 meeting, the Rushford City Council held a public meeting regarding a business subsidy to three entities related to one business. The revolving loan subsidy request from Brilliance Web Design, Inc., NL Acquisition CO LLC, and DWEL Properties LLC relates to the purchase of the Johnson & James Properties: Norsland Lefse LLC and Norsland Bakery & Café … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Revisits Annual Items and Goals
By Kirsten Zoellner At the January 16 meeting, the Rushford Village Council covered several agenda items relating to annual in-house paperwork. Annual items included appointments and designations, meeting times, and committees. Acting Mayor Mike Ebner will continue to serve in the absence of Mayor Dennis Overland. Meetings will continue on the first and third Tuesday of … [Read more...]
Peterson Sets Up For New Year
At the January 10 meeting, of the Peterson Council, Mayor Chris Stenzel led a sparse room through annual meeting items. Councilors Tracy Seelbinder and Justin Simon were also present. Clerk Chris Grindland and Councilors Gail Boyum and Kristina Grindland were absent from the meeting. First up, a quick update from Public Works noted that the department had no issues with the … [Read more...]
Fountain Lacks for Council Issues
The first meeting of 2024 for the Fountain City Council was the shortest meeting on record, just a minute and 10 seconds on January 3, due to the absence of Mayor Tammy Danielson and a surprisingly short agenda. Opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, the attending council proceeded with the agenda, which included the consent agenda only. In it were the minutes from the … [Read more...]
Rushford Sets Hearing for Funding Request
At the December 26 meeting, the Rushford Council heard details of an Economic Development Authority (EDA) request from Brilliance Web Design, DBA Brilliance Business Solutions for the purchase of the Johnson & James Properties, Norsland Lefse & Norsland Bakery & Cafe. According to the provided documentation, the EDA reviewed the request at their December 20 meeting. The … [Read more...]
Village Decides Final Levy
After months of discussion, the Rushford Village Council nailed down the 2024 budget and levy. Despite the unanimous vote, some on the council felt the village would fall short, while others expressed concern it was too high. The final levy is $535,000. The levy represents a 7% increase over 2023. City Clerk Mary Miner expects $688,671 in expenses and $629,178 in disbursements, … [Read more...]
Rushford Sets Final Numbers
At the December 11 meeting, the Rushford Council approved the final 2024 budget and levy with all present voting in favor. Councilor Leigh Volkman was absent. After months of discussion, the council set the final amount at $1,138,631, a 5.2% increase from the 2023 levy of $1,082,255. The documentation provided to the council was the same as the preliminary budget and levy … [Read more...]
Peterson Lights up for a Good Cause
The city of Peterson has just over 100 homes. The city council included nearly 60 in the annual count of holiday-decorated homes. At the December 13 meeting, Councilor Gail Boyum noted 57 displays but expected more to pop up since there are typically around 60. For each home with either a day or nighttime holiday display, including homes displaying decorations through windows, … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Closes in on Final Levy
At the December 5 meeting, the Rushford Village Council again discussed the 2024 budget. As the proposed 7% levy increase currently stands, the budget has a $50,000 cushion. If the council reduces the final levy to 5%, the cushion will be $40,000. Some on the council questioned whether or not that was enough. City staff removed several items from the proposed budget, including … [Read more...]
Fountain Approves 2024 Levy
The Fountain, Minn., council zipped through a short agenda at the December 6 meeting. Having just one notice and two items of business, the council sped through approving the budget and levy for 2024. The final levy will be $223,500. The amount represents $123,500 from the general tax levy, $65,000 sewer tax levy, $25,000 capital improvement tax levy and $10,000 Equipment Fund … [Read more...]