Monday, December 11, the City of Rushford held their annual public hearing on proposed tax levy. The figure was set in September at a maximum of $938,000, or an 8.19% increase over 2017. Adjustments were applied in November to debt service needs and the amount was reduced to $913,000, or a 5.3% increase over the 2017 levy of $867,000. Broken down, this net increase represents a … [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 Village approves 2018 levy
After deliberation and a brief Truth In Taxation hearing that brought no citizen comments, the City of Rushford Village approved the 2018 levy in the amount of $425,000. The amount has remained the same the last three years. There was consideration for raising it and the council was cautious as it plans for future needs. Mayor Gordon Johnson praised the work of City Clerk … [Read more...]
Fountain plans for public utility hearing
At the November council meeting, the City of Fountain heard the results of an analysis by Minnesota Rural Water Association. The city was provided with four scenarios aimed at making gains on the backwards trending sewer and water utility funds. Wednesday, December 6, the council met and further discussed the options, which ranged from maintaining the annual $30 base rate, … [Read more...]
Rushford reviews finances; preps for performance review
The Rushford City Council recently received a financial update and it appears the city is on target for financial goals. Consultant Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates, indicated eight notable points in a summary to the council as the city sought to plan for the timing and size of tentative projects. The city continues to comply with a self-imposed $6,000 per capita debt … [Read more...]
Counterfeits in area prompt call for vigilance
Area businesses are being cautioned to give careful inspection of cash received following an early November incidence of counterfeit money in Rushford. An email from the Rushford Peterson Chamber of Commerce went out to local businesses November 13 warning them to be vigilant. “I’ve had a couple responses thanking the Chamber for passing along the news and I haven’t heard of … [Read more...]
Rushford Village responds to City of Rushford study
Not terribly surprisingly, Rushford Village Mayor Gordon Johnson expressed disappointment at the handling of recent council action in the City of Rushford. At the November 13 meeting, the Rushford Council approved a study of a piece of property owned by Lorraine Woxland, abutting Rushford borders, which is situated within the City of Rushford Village’s jurisdiction. The study … [Read more...]
R-P Board approves e-learning guidelines with concerns
In its second year, e-learning days are prompting concern from some parents and some on the school board. At the Monday, November 20 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting, the new guidelines for the program were presented by the district for approval. Superintendent Chuck Ehler reiterated that concerns were incorporated when the new guidelines were drafted. The program was … [Read more...]
Rushford approves assessments; looks to property study
Eight property owners attended the November 13 public hearing regarding assessments. Engineer Brian Malm, of Bolton & Menk, was on hand to detail the final assessment and address concerns. Three properties received service credits, as opposed to adjusted assessment rates, for work recently done that needed to be replaced as part of the project. “I want to thank the … [Read more...]
Small Business Saturday boosts businesses
It’s that time again; time to avoid the mall, back away from your laptop shopping cart, and step into your small town businesses. This Saturday, November 25 is the seventh annual Small Business Saturday and it’s the local equivalent to the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, rallying communities to support their brick and mortar stores. Although the most visible part of … [Read more...]
Peterson passes utility assessments
After months of efforts to get past due utility balances paid, the City of Peterson has certified the past due balances to the county for addition to property tax rolls. The problem has been an ongoing source of frustration for the city. In October 2016, the council voted in favor of assessing of delinquent utility bills to property taxes at a rate of 4%. Last November, the … [Read more...]