Several residents attended the December 20 Preston City Council meeting to speak against a request to rezone property owned by Tim Johnston at 216 Brownsville St. NE. Councilman Charles Sparks was absent. Johnston has requested the rezoning of 1.5 acres (three parcels) of his property from R-2 (One and Two Family Residential) to R-1 (Agriculture/Residential). The reason for … [Read more...]
Fillmore County declares State of Emergency
A resolution was adopted at the December 21 Fillmore County Board meeting declaring a state of emergency due to the December 15 wind/tornado events. Sheriff John DeGeorge said the storms resulted in significant public damage. There is an estimate of power damage in the amount of $570,000. DeGeorge noted four tornados were identified just in Fillmore County. Strong straight … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central sets 2021 levy
The Fillmore Central School Board meeting opened with its annual Truth in Taxation meeting. There was no one present from the public with questions or comments. The 2021 payable 2022 tax levy was set at $1,642,843.71, which is a 4.45% decrease from last year. The K-6 concerts were held on December 16 with matinee and evening performances broken up into groups of 2-3 grades at … [Read more...]
City of Rushford Village tax levy set
At the regular City of Rushford Village Council meeting December 21, the council set the tax levy for 2022 at $485,000, a modest 2% increase over last year. With the purchase of a new Freightliner truck and payroll raises for the new year, the proposed levy had been $495,000, a 3% raise. The council felt the compromise of a 2% raise would be appreciated by city residents. … [Read more...]
Rushford ponders future project impacts
As part of ongoing efforts to thoroughly understand and mitigate the impacts of future projects within the City of Rushford, the city council met with financial consultant Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates, for a special meeting on December 20. Bubany’s computer modeling provided some clear parameters for projects, including the 2022 Highway 30 reconstruction, a Minnesota … [Read more...]
19 Houston County employees recognized for their service
Houston County Commissions recognized and thanked the following Houston County employees for their service to the county. Ten-year awards – Justin L. Conway, Steven T. Garrett, James I. Houdek, Kathleen A. Lager, Maria L. Stemper, Donna I. Trehus, and Teresa A. Walter. 15-year awards – Laurie A. Bigalk, Jennifer L. Blocker, Bethany M. Moen, and Michelle L. Schulte. 20-year … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson reports financial status at Truth in Taxation meeting
December 20 found the R-P School Board conducting their regular monthly board meeting as well as the required Truth in Taxation meeting. Business manager Toni Oian presented a PowerPoint sharing the district’s financial status; Superintendent Jon Thompson then spoke to share his viewpoint on the district’s financial situation. Oian told the public that the local building … [Read more...]
Clean audit for Houston schools
Luke Gerden, manager of Clifton Larson Allen, an accounting firm from Rochester, appeared via the internet at the December 16 Houston School Board meeting to share the results of the current audit. He reported a clean audit with no compliance issues. Since the school had over $750,000 in federal expenditures this past year, a single audit was required as well. The Coronavirus … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board sets tax levy
The December 16 Lanesboro School Board meeting opened with its annual Truth in Taxation meeting. The law requires the school to hold the meeting before setting the tax levy. Superintendent Matt Schultz reviewed the information with the board. The total revenues for last year were $5,673,116 and the expenditures were $5,691,342. The current year’s budget sits at $6,728,252 in … [Read more...]
Eitzen’s last city council meeting of the year
The Eitzen City Council held its last meeting of the year Tuesday, December 14. Mayor Jeffrey Adamson and Council members Mitch Lange, Doug Meyer, and Mitch Luttchens, as well as Steve Schuldt, city clerk, were all in attendance. Emily Burrichter was absent. Mayor Adamson called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. The council unanimously approved the November 10, 2021, city … [Read more...]