The Houston School Board met for its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2017, in the library of Houston Public High School. In attendance were Superintendent Abraham and board members Bonner, Stillin, Evenson, Lundak, Wilson and Carlson. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the meeting’s agenda and a resolution for a closed meeting regarding … [Read more...]
Chatfield 2018 final levy certified
At the December 11 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, City Clerk Joel Young reviewed in detail the city’s budget; expenses and revenues. The Truth in Taxation public hearing ended with no comments from the public. Young listed expenses affecting the 2018 budget. Expenditure differences pointed out for 2018 for public works total $142,000. This will pay for additional … [Read more...]
County hears salary requests and another request to support a land acquisition
At the December 12 meeting of the county board elected official salary requests and another request for support of a land acquisition to be donated to the DNR were discussed. Michael Tenney, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, asked the board to support the purchase of 92.8 acres, located in sections 1 and 12, in the city of Rushford Village. The Minnesota Deer Hunters … [Read more...]
Ostrander revs up for infrastructure project
A regular meeting of the Ostrander City Council was held on December 13, with all members in attendance (Erin Volkart, Pam Kunert, Mayor Pat Nesler, City Clerk Christine Hyrkas, Heidi Jones and DJ Start). Brian Malm, representing the engineering firm of Bolton & Menk, updated the council on plans regarding the upcoming street and utility infrastructure project, and asked … [Read more...]
Rushford deliberates on 2018 budget, levy
Monday, December 11, the City of Rushford held their annual public hearing on proposed tax levy. The figure was set in September at a maximum of $938,000, or an 8.19% increase over 2017. Adjustments were applied in November to debt service needs and the amount was reduced to $913,000, or a 5.3% increase over the 2017 levy of $867,000. Broken down, this net increase represents a … [Read more...]
Whalan fills open seats on zoning board
After a lengthy search by Whalan city council members the two vacant seats on the Whalan Zoning Board have now been filled. Ernie Johnson and Larry Johnson have each agreed to serve on the board. All council members were present at the December 11, 2017 regularly scheduled monthly council meeting including Mayor Marlys Tuftin, Owen Lewis, Everett Johnson, Wyatt Berekvam and … [Read more...]
Mabel works to attract new businesses
Mayor Jim Westby told the city council at its December meeting that he met with representatives from Kwik Trip and Dollar General in an effort to get them to locate in Mabel. Both companies said the same thing — there’s just not enough traffic to make it feasible to come here. Westby said he met with the top-level representative from Kwik Trip and it was a good meeting, but the … [Read more...]
County evaluates its performance, discusses 2018 budget
County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman reviewed 2017 progress and discussed goals for 2018 at its Truth in Taxation meeting held in the evening on December 12. Some highlights in 2017 include participation in the effort to achieve County Program Aid (CPA) reform. This legislation resulted in a formula change which reduces the volatility of CPA from year to year. Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Harmony raises salt and sand rates
The City of Harmony currently charges $30 to salt and sand a small lot in town and $50 for a large one. The cost does not include plowing the snow. The maintenance department asked the council what their thoughts were on raising that price. “That seems really low,” council member Debbie Swenson agreed. The council approved a motion to raise each of the rates by $20 bringing … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves 2018 levy
After deliberation and a brief Truth In Taxation hearing that brought no citizen comments, the City of Rushford Village approved the 2018 levy in the amount of $425,000. The amount has remained the same the last three years. There was consideration for raising it and the council was cautious as it plans for future needs. Mayor Gordon Johnson praised the work of City Clerk … [Read more...]