The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session December 11. Members present included Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, Mike Hadland and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Tony Archer was absent. No visitors had signed up to address the council. The council certified the 2017 Final Tax Levy and adopted the 2018 budget. Zimmer shared information showing the … [Read more...]
Additional haul routes requested for Rein Sand Pit
Larry Thompson and his son Lance, operators of the Rein Sand Pit (now Highland Sand), have requested approval for additional industrial sand haul routes. The public hearing attracted a crowd of concerned citizens to the December 7 Fillmore County Planning Commission. Thompson wants the additional hauling routes approved to allow sand to be hauled to potential buyers. A … [Read more...]
Houston superintendent rated 3.53 out of 4 by school board
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...]