At the December 8, 2021, Chatfield School Board meeting, Josh Thompson, Jill Harstad, Katie Priebe and Lanny Isensee were present as well as Principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris, Business Manager Trista O’Connor, and Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant. Matt McMahon and Tom Keefe joined remotely through Zoom. Josh Thompson received the oath … [Read more...]
Kingsland board hears food supply challenges
Kingsland School Board held a work session meeting on December 6. One item that generated discussion was the ongoing difficulty in obtaining the various food products that Kingsland serves to students. Judy Tart’s written report to the board said, in part, “Food shortages continue. Trying to buy ahead when products are available… Freezer storage is becoming an issue… Menus … [Read more...]
Canton Council approves 2022 budget, certifies levy with slight increase to cover equipment purchase
The Canton City Council reviewed and adopted the 2022 general fund budget and certified its tax levy, collectable in 2022, during its meeting last Wednesday evening, December 8. The final general fund budget was set at $275,915, This represents a 7% increase from the 2021 budget. Clerk Brock Bergey explained that the increase comes mainly from the need to replace the city’s … [Read more...]
Houston School’s Truth in Taxation meeting
The required Truth in Taxation meeting for Houston Schools took place December 2, the same night as the regular board meeting with several tax payers present. Gwen Rostad, Houston’s director of finance, presented an informational PowerPoint on Truth in Taxation and the current status of the district. Rostad pointed out that the assessor determines the market value of properties … [Read more...]
Rushford Village renews contract with CEDA
At their regular council meeting December 7, the Rushford Village Council approved the 2022 proposed CEDA (Community Economic Development Associates) contract for $13,790 – up $400 from the previous year. At eight hours every other week, this comes to a rate of approximately $66 per hour. Council member Bob Hart asked exactly what the city gets for that amount. Mayor Dennis … [Read more...]
Preston 2022 budget/levy review
City Administrator Joe Hoffman gave the annual budget/tax levy presentation at the Preston City Council’s December 6 meeting. The total levy for 2022 is to be $1,080,696, an increase of $46,273 over 2021 or 4.47%. Half of the city’s revenues will come from the tax levy in 2022. Hoffman compared that to 2004, which was the first year he served as administrator. In 2004 only 42% … [Read more...]
Fountain will keep ordinance banning chickens
The Fountain City Council voted 2:1 on December 1, with Mayor Jim Schott not voting and Councilor Colleen Fohrenbacher unable to vote, under Schott’s direction, to uphold its current ordinances banning chickens within city limits. “We need to have a vote on whether or not to discuss chickens,” said Schott. “Colleen, you can’t vote because you brought it up.” Fohrenbacher … [Read more...]
Houston County approves MFIP agreement
The Houston County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, November 23, from 9:02-10:54 a.m. in the historic county courthouse in downtown Caledonia. Commissioners present included Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Chairman Bob Burns, Teresa Walter, and Greg Myhre. Chairman Burns led the commissioners and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting agenda was … [Read more...]
Fillmore County ARPA funding options
At the November 23 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, a discussion continued on options for the best use of the American Rescue Plan Act funds received by the county. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reviewed five of these options including broadband, employment options, administration office improvements, HVAC improvements in three county buildings, and automatic … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s garbage bag issue resolved
Bill Hanson, Hanson Waste Removal, addressed the Chatfield City Council at its November 17 meeting about the supply chain problems affecting the purchase of yellow specially marked garbage bags. Councilors Paul Novotny and Josh Broadwater were absent. Yellow custom imprinted bags can’t be reordered on a timely basis or at a reasonable cost for some months into next year. The … [Read more...]