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...]
Preston ambulance service per capita rate increase
At the March 19 Preston City Council meeting, Ambulance Director Ryan Throckmorton recommended approval of a per capita increase from $10 to $14, effective in 2019. The increase is needed to build up fund balance for ambulance purchases and operating expenses. Councilman David Collett was absent. The per capita payment for the ambulance service was set in 1999 at $7 and was … [Read more...]
Kingsland decommissions intermediate school
The Kingsland School Board met in regular session on March 19. Members present were Doug Plaehn, Ann Oeltjen, Leah Stier, Jackie Horsman, Heather Betts, and Superintendent James Hecimovich. Tiffany Mundfrom was absent. The board voted to decommission the Kingsland Intermediate School, effective at the end of this school year. This means the facility is no longer a viable … [Read more...]
Whalan City Council accepts resignation
The city council of Whalan, Minn., will have an empty council seat to fill, as council member Wyatt Berekvam informed the council of his resignation at the March 12, 2018, council meeting. The regularly scheduled monthly meeting was called to order at 5 p.m. by Mayor Marlys Tuftin. Council members present included Kim Berekvam, Everett Johnson, Wyatt Berekvam and City Clerk … [Read more...]
Temporary concrete batch plant for CSAH 1 paving
The Fillmore County Planning Commission held their first meeting of 2018 on March 15. The last meeting of 2017 was held on October 26. Zoning administrator Cristal Adkins opened the meeting and welcomed new member Trinity Johnson. Johnson will replace Brad Erickson who retired from the committee after 12 years of service. Gary Ruskell was elected chairman and Steve Duxbury was … [Read more...]