At the April 2 Preston City Council meeting council members voted unanimously to commit $125,000 in support of a veterans home in Preston. Preston Public Utilities also has committed to a $125,000 contribution. These contributions will only be expended in the event a veterans home is approved to be built in Preston. The commitment of cash from the city and PPU is part of a … [Read more...]
Fountain to adopt MN code
By Rich Wicks On April 4, a regular meeting of the Fountain City Council was held, with all members in attendance (Mayor Richard Kujath, Bryan Ostby, Jim Schott, David Gudmundson, Chad Wangen, and City Clerk Rhonda Flattum). The council discussed the idea of adopting the “Minnesota basic code” which would provide ordinances to cover the vast majority of issues a small city … [Read more...]
Thompson appointed to Ostrander council
During the Ostrander City Council meeting on April 3, Vernon Thompson was appointed to fill the vacancy on the council since Erin Volkart’s departure. The council heard from all three citizens interested in serving on the council. Jeremy Runkel explained to the council his interest in serving, stating, “I’ve got time, and I’m concerned about what happens in town.” Stephanie … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Early Childhood Literacy Grants
OWATONNA, MN, February 19, 2018 - Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), in partnership with ABDO Publishing and Capstone, is accepting applications for the Early Childhood Literacy Grant Program. The Literacy Program is designed to support early literacy efforts that enhance school readiness for children birth to age five by providing children with books. … [Read more...]
Commissioners will soon decide on potential veterans home location
Commissioners discussed all the “ifs” related to a proposed state veterans home for Fillmore County at their March 27 meeting. During committee reports at the end of the meeting, commissioner Duane Bakke reported on a March 21 hearing held by the Minnesota State Government Finance Committee. Up to 240 veterans home beds have been authorized by the federal government for … [Read more...]
Mabel daycare gets closer to becoming a reality
The Mabel City Council held a special meeting on March 26 to determine financing for the proposed daycare center and a contractor to construct it. Mayor Jim Westby said that Foresight Bank of Plainview is willing to finance the $450,000 loan to the City at 4% for three years via General Obligation (GEO) Bonds. After the daycare is completed in September, the City will … [Read more...]
Chatfield City Manager?
Curt Sorenson, Charter committee chair and former Chatfield mayor, reported at the March 26 city council meeting that members of the Charter commission have proposed amending the city charter to add the position of “city manager.” During a public hearing, the issue that troubled some was the authority to hire and fire public employees that would be part of a city manager’s … [Read more...]
Clean audit for Spring Valley
During the Spring Valley City Council meeting on March 26, council members heard an audit presentation from Tom Wente, representing Smith Schafer & Associates. Wente said the audit includes an unmodified “clean” opinion regarding 2017, and reasonable assurance that financials are free of material misstatement. He mentioned that due to the small size of the city staff, … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central School Board discusses potential facility projects
The Fillmore Central School Board discussed a number of facility projects at their March 27 meeting. Superintendent Richard Keith presented the board with a list of recommended projects with preliminary pricing estimates. The district-wide projects for both the Preston and Harmony buildings included new classroom doors that would give the option of locking the classrooms from … [Read more...]
Ag community voices concern ahead of R-P decision
Rushford-Peterson School District administration made a recommendation at the March 19 meeting that the school board approve the hire of a business instructor for the open position, leaving one full-time instructor in the ag/industrial tech department for the 2018-2019 school year. The concerns come on the heels of the district’s February decision to not renew the contract of … [Read more...]