At the September 6 meeting, the Rushford Village Council heard details of offers for garbage and recycling collection contract extensions. Jeff Holmquist, sales manager for Harter’s Quick Clean-Up, was on hand to discuss the options. As the current contract will expire in February 2023, the village wanted to explore the option of no longer owning the rolling carts as a way to … [Read more...]
Fountain council approves preliminary levy
The Fountain Council approved the preliminary tax levy for 2023 at the September 7 meeting. While the final levy can ultimately be less than the amount approved, it cannot be higher. The final levy will be approved in December. The total preliminary levy was $231,142. The represents $123,142 for general tax levy, $65,000 for the sewer fund $35,000 for Capital Improvement, and … [Read more...]
CUP to repair Root River levee approved
Houston County Planning Commission held a meeting on Thursday, August 25, 2022, to review a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Environmental Services from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to repair a levee along the Root River in a flood plain district in Hokah Township. The CUP application states, “fill material for the repair will be obtained from on-site, previous ag fields … [Read more...]
Kingsland hears options for gym roof repair
During the Kingsland School Board meeting on September 7, the board heard from Brian Miller, representing the Garland Company. Miller showed pictures from 2020 and 2021, and explained that the windstorm in 2021 partially lifted the roofing, which allowed the insulation to be shifted around, resulting in an uneven roof surface. He said this causes pooling of water, which will … [Read more...]
Preston discusses 2023 budget
The first draft of the 2023 budget was reviewed and discussed at the city council’s September 6 meeting. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton noted some of the challenges they faced, including the fact that the administrator position cost is no longer split with Preston Public Utilities. The revenue coming to the city from the utility in 2022 for that position was nearly … [Read more...]
Houston School goodbyes and hellos
As the new school year began, it was time for the Houston School Board to welcome their new assistant principal, Angela McQuinn, as she attended her first school board meeting September 1. McQuinn has her office in the East Building and serves as the principal onsite for the Summit Learning Center, but also works in all the other brick and mortar buildings of Houston School. … [Read more...]
Minnesota’s unemployment rate holds at all-time low: 1.8% Job growth strong, more than double the national rate
The unemployment rate held steady at 1.8% in July 2022 – tying the record low since the metric has been tracked in 1976, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). This was also the all-time lowest state rate on record in the United States as of June. On a seasonally adjusted basis Minnesota gained 19,100 … [Read more...]
Canton city clerk resigns, community voices frustration during special council meeting
The Canton City Council met in special session on Thursday evening, August 25, following the resignation of its city clerk, Brock Bergey. In a brief letter, dated August 22, Bergey stated his resignation would be effective September 5, however his last day in the office would be August 24, using accrued leave time and the legal holiday on September 5, for the remainder of his … [Read more...]
State minimum wage increases January 1, 2023
Minnesota’s minimum-wage rates will be adjusted for inflation on January 1, 2023, to $10.59 an hour for large employers and $8.63 an hour for other state minimum wages. The current large-employer minimum wage, $10.33, will increase by 26 cents to $10.59. Other state minimum wages, including the small-employer, youth and training wages, as well as the summer work travel … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton project nears completion
During the Mabel-Canton school board meeting on August 25, the board heard an update on the facility upgrade project that’s been ongoing throughout the summer. Due to ongoing construction, the meeting was held in Mrs. Peters’ Science Room. Superintendent Gary Kuphal summarized, “If we didn’t have any supply chain issues, we would be right on track. This is the week that it … [Read more...]