Fillmore County Journal

"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"

Spring Valley Budget Requests See Increases as Costs Rise

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At their August 14 meeting, the Spring Valley City Council entered the season of budgets as they reviewed the annual department budget requests. This is the first step in the budget process as they will be set later in the year. Within the legislative department, City Administrator Deb Zimmer noted a $200 decrease in the liability insurance. Due to it being an election year … [Read more...]

U.S. Senator Tina Smith Tours Spring Grove

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Spring Grove, Minn. gave United States Senator Tina Smith a warm welcome Thursday, August 10. Senator Smith toured rural Spring Grove to highlight the town’s economic development. Smith’s tour began 9:15 a.m. at Red’s IGA, 500 E. Main Street. Mayor Saundra Solum, City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton, and a few others accompanied Senator Smith at this first stop. The next stop … [Read more...]

OHV Update

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Karla Bloem, of the OHV trail exit committee, reported to the Houston, Minn., City Council at their meeting on August 14 about a meeting held earlier in the day with Minnesota DNR legal counsel. The meeting included Senator Jeremy Miller, Rob Cary, DNR legal counsel, and Wendall Meyer of the Federal Highway Administration. Cary informed the committee that the deed … [Read more...]

Harmony Reduces Splash Pad Hours in Response to Drought Warning

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The August 8 Harmony City Council meeting opened with a public forum at which resident Sharon Kiehne spoke. She asked if there was money set aside in the budget for routine road maintenance, such as filling potholes. Upon being assured that there was, she asked why the city isn’t fixing all of them. She stated that there were so many potholes on her street that it was … [Read more...]

Lanesboro Looks for New City Administrator

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The August 7 Lanesboro City Council meeting opened with a public hearing for the Code of Ordinance update. Lanesboro resident Phil Dybing asked that the information that is shared with the public be made a little more clear. The hearing was closed and a second hearing was opened to discuss a tax abatement request. Public Finance Advisor Mike Bubany of David Drown Associates … [Read more...]

HVED Decision Delayed

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The Lanesboro School Board saw a change to the agenda at their meeting August 9 in the forum of the Lanesboro, Minn., school. HVED Director Deb Marcotte was slated to give a presentation about the HVED (Hiawatha Valley Education District) joint powers agreement before the board voted on the agreement. Recent developments in price negotiations led to a need to revamp the … [Read more...]

Future of the Houston County Jail in Question

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Houston County Commissioners continued the discussion from last week’s meeting regarding the future of the Houston County Jail at its August 8 regularly scheduled meeting. Severson confirmed that the contract with Winona ends at the end of September. Commissioner Eric Johnson asked the two commissioners, Chairperson Dewey Severson and Commissioner Bob Schuldt, who sit on the … [Read more...]

SPED without HVED

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Houston Public Schools will soon be beginning their first year without a contract with HVED (Hiawatha Valley Education District) and provide their own special education services. Amber Kulig, director of SPED for the Houston District, addressed the board at their August 3 regular board meeting. A SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) will need to be established for … [Read more...]

Fillmore County Restructuring Plans for Zoning Office

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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...]