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...]
Houston County begins the 2023 budget process
An informative section of the Houston County Commission meetings is the annual presentations which are also a component of the county’s budget process. For example, at the August 23 board meeting, commissioners heard from the Medical Examiner (ME), Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). MnDOT Principal Planner … [Read more...]
Fillmore County board to consider lot width regulation amendment
The Fillmore County Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 18 to discuss a proposed amendment to Section 604.05(5), lot width regulations, of the county’s zoning ordinance. The current regulation requires a minimum width of 150 feet at the front of a buildable lot, plus a provision that the lot shall have either 66 feet of public road frontage or a recorded … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central receives grant to install stop arm cameras on buses
The Fillmore Central School District was recently awarded a grant from the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety to cover the cost of purchasing and installing stop arm cameras on all of its buses. The total amount granted from the Department of Public Safety was $30,486.54. The district wishes to raise public awareness that all of the buses will be equipped with stop arm cameras … [Read more...]
Rushford clears up deferment process
The Rushford City Council took steps at the August 22 meeting to clarify the process for deferred assessment applications. The city’s assessment policies have been in place since the start of reconstruction projects in 2009. Eligibility requirements to gain deferment are in the policy. To date, there have been no applications for an assessment deferral with a city project. … [Read more...]
Caledonia approves ambulance purchase
At the August 22 regular Caledonia City Council meeting, the Council approved Ambulance Director Mike Tornstrom’ s request to move forward on the purchase of a new ambulance to replace Unit 257. Council members in attendance were Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder, Robert “Bob” Klug, Amanda Ninneman, and David Fitzpatrick. Brad Rykhus was absent. Others in attendance included … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s proposed amendment to the city’s Charter
The Chatfield Charter Commission has recommended that the city’s Charter be amended by ordinance to develop and install the position of City Administrator. A previous recommendation to create a city manager or city administrator position failed to receive unanimous approval of the city council as required. At the city council’s August 22 meeting, the council passed a resolution … [Read more...]