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...]
Lanesboro Council reconsiders decision not to pave Zenith Street
The Lanesboro City Council revisited the matter of the Zenith Street paving proposal at their December 4 meeting. Council member Jason Resseman was Mayor pro tem in Mayor Autumn Johnson’s absence. Mayor Johnson participated in the meeting via remote access. Currently, a portion of Zenith Street is unpaved and is a gravel road. The residents had hopes that it would be paved … [Read more...]
Fountain plans for public utility hearing
At the November council meeting, the City of Fountain heard the results of an analysis by Minnesota Rural Water Association. The city was provided with four scenarios aimed at making gains on the backwards trending sewer and water utility funds. Wednesday, December 6, the council met and further discussed the options, which ranged from maintaining the annual $30 base rate, … [Read more...]
Houston Planning talks turkey on Owl Center; EDA looks to future
The Houston Planning Commission began their meeting at 5:35 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2017, in the council chambers of Houston City Hall. In attendance were members Krin Abraham, Cheryl Sanden, Emliy Krage, and City Administrator Chris Peterson. Abraham called the meeting to order and asked for old business, of which there was none. The commission proceeded with the first … [Read more...]
Preston budget/levy discussed
City Administrator Joe Hoffman presented details of the preliminary 2018 budget/levy during the Truth in Taxation portion of the December 4 city council meeting. The city’s preliminary budget of $897,186 for 2018 was approved in September. There is a 7.9% ($65,692) increase over 2017. About 2.3% of the increase is due to increases in operating expenses like insurance and … [Read more...]
Rushford reviews finances; preps for performance review
The Rushford City Council recently received a financial update and it appears the city is on target for financial goals. Consultant Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates, indicated eight notable points in a summary to the council as the city sought to plan for the timing and size of tentative projects. The city continues to comply with a self-imposed $6,000 per capita debt … [Read more...]
Mail-in only balloting option to be used by some areas of Fillmore County
Some cities/townships may choose the option of mail-in only balloting for local, state, and federal elections. The option is only available to those precincts with less than 400 registered voters. The use of mail-in only ballots is authorized by Minnesota Statute 204B.45. The cities of Whalan, Canton and Fountain, and Newburg Township are planning to use the mail-in only … [Read more...]
Motion for land acquisition fails
An effort to get county support for the purchase of the Ione Larson farm to add to the Choice Wildlife Management Area again failed at the November 28 county board meeting. Mike Tenny, Department of Natural Resources, and Robert McGillivray, Trust for Public Land (non-profit conservation organization) had requested the resolution of support at an October 3 meeting. At that … [Read more...]
MiEnergy CEO receives Cooperative Builder Award
Brian Krambeer, CEO of MiEnergy Cooperative, was recognized as a recipient of the Cooperative Builder Award at Cooperative Network’s Annual Meeting Awards Banquet Tuesday, November 14 in St. Paul. The award recognizes select men and women for their contributions, loyalty and service to the cooperative movement at the local, state, regional or national level. Krambeer’s … [Read more...]