The Houston County Commissioners approved a 7.905% preliminary levy and adopted the 2026 budget at their regularly scheduled meeting on September 23. It was emphasized that the levy cannot increase once the preliminary levy is set, but it can decrease when it is finalized in December. The total levy, less County Program Aid (CPA), is $16,074,171. Administrator Carol Lapham … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Managed IT Contract
At the September 23 meeting of the county board, an agreement with Marco Technologies, LLC for Managed IT services was approved. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery noted she had cut $12,000 from the Managed IT budget. The agreement with Marco requires a one-time payment of $26,701 for cyber security, server, license, and professional service. The county will be responsible … [Read more...]
Chatfield Certifies Preliminary Levy
The total preliminary levy in the amount of $2,885,640 for property taxes payable in 2026 was certified at the city council’s September 22 meeting. This represents an increase of $147,277, or 5.378 % over the 2025 levy. The final levy to be considered in December can be the same or lower, not higher. The Truth in Taxation Hearing will be held Monday, December 8. Councilor … [Read more...]
Minnesota Jobs and Workforce Grow in August
ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota employers added 5,900 jobs in August, strong growth that defied a nearly-flat employment picture on the national level, according to new data from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota’s growth equated to a 0.2% increase in jobs in August, compared to effectively flat employment for the United States as a whole. … [Read more...]
Village Sets Preliminary Levy
After months of discussing the budget and tax levy for 2026, the Rushford Village Council approved the preliminary at $764,099 at their September 16 meeting. The amount was determined by taking into consideration the current disbursements for the year, estimated disbursements for September-December based on 2024 numbers, the current estimated budget shortfall of $65,455, and a … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board Talks Construction and Numbers
Just weeks into the new school year, the Kingsland School Board met on September 15 to hear updates on projects and review the preliminary levy. “This summer we are almost done,” Superintendent Scott Klavetter said of the ongoing construction. “The actual roofing piece has been done for a couple of weeks already, as far as opening up and replacing roofs. What they have been … [Read more...]
R-P Board Returns Solar Grant
The Rushford-Peterson School Board decided unanimously to return the Solar for Schools Grant to the state during their September 15 regular meeting. In the second round of exploring the possibility of the addition of solar panels to the school roof, R-P had already been awarded the grant. The problem with installing solar panels was that the option of placing the panels on the … [Read more...]
SV Council Approves Preliminary Levy
On September 8, the Spring Valley City Council approved the preliminary property tax levy, which will be collectable in 2026 with the numbers set as such: the general operating budget at $790,672, the economic development authority (EDA) set at $83,237, parks at $191,387 and library at $177,000. The total preliminary levy is $2,010,746. It was noted while the levy can be … [Read more...]
Investigators Say Harmony Woman Drained Father’s Account of $39,000
A Harmony woman is accused of draining her elderly father’s bank account of more than $39,000 while serving as his power of attorney. Debra Ann Hebrink, 68, faces five felony counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and one felony count of theft by swindle in Fillmore County District Court. Her first appearance is scheduled for October 14. The Fillmore … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School Board Approves Maximum Levy
The Spring Grove School Board approved setting the 2024 Payable 2025 Property Tax Levy Certification at the maximum level, on a motion by Board Member Rohland and seconded by Boardmember Olson at its board meeting on September 15. The Truth and Taxation hearing traditionally takes place in December prior to the regular school board meeting. Approving the maximum level … [Read more...]