The commissioners covered a lot of ground at an extended September 5 board meeting. The process of reviewing each departmental budget continued. Public Health, Human Services, the various budgets related to the Sheriff’s office, and others were looked at in some detail. The total 2018 budget increase proposed by Jessica Erickson, director of nursing, in her department was … [Read more...]
Rushford opts for bluff road reconstruct
The City of Rushford, upon review of engineering estimates, has opted not to look further into the buyout of two bluff properties within the city limits. Purchase of the two homes, located on Lamplighter Lane, was discussed at the earlier August meeting as the city grappled with how to address the failing roadway. The homes sit perched on the east Rushford bluff, part of a … [Read more...]
Harmony EDA announces return of Experience Harmony community input program
The Harmony Economic Development Authority (EDA) is hosting the second series of “Experience Harmony” to gather community input on how to continue to grow and improve the community over the next several years. The first Experience Harmony series was held in early 2014, shortly after major regional initiatives like Mayo Clinic’s Destination Medical Center, or DMC, were … [Read more...]
Preston enters into development agreement
At the September 5 Preston City Council meeting, the council voted to go forward with a development agreement with Andrew Bunge as unanimously recommended by the EDA. Councilman David Collett voted against. In the North Street Project agreement the city is to sell four unimproved city parcels to Bunge for $1. Bunge agrees to build four housing units, each of at least 950 … [Read more...]
Rushford Village looks to address equipment needs
The Rushford Village Council passed a preliminary 2018 budget and levy at their Tuesday, September 5 meeting. Seeking to fund some needed equipment upgrades, the council approved a preliminary $450,000 levy, an increase of $25,000 from the previous year. The council may still reduce the amount, prior to certifying the final amount to the county at the end of the year, but it … [Read more...]
State adds 7,700 jobs in July Unemployment rate steady at 3.7%
ST. PAUL – Minnesota employers added 7,700 jobs in July, according to seasonally adjusted figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). In addition, June’s employment figures were revised upward by 4,900 jobs to bring total gains that month to 9,300 jobs. Minnesota has added 66,701 jobs in the past year, an increase of … [Read more...]
Capital Investment Committee visits Fillmore County
Rep. Greg Davids invited members of the House Capital Investment Committee (bonding committee) to Fillmore County to learn about capital projects in the county. The committee made three stops during their September 6 tour, including the Chatfield Center for the Arts in Chatfield, the DNR Fish Hatchery near Lanesboro, and Niagara Cave south of Harmony. Center for the Arts F. … [Read more...]
Lanesboro moves ahead with Park Road project
After the bid for the Park Road project in Lanesboro came in higher than anticipated at $350,000, City Engineer Brian Malm was able to work with the contractor to reduce the total project costs. He presented the changes to the original bid to the Lanesboro City Council at their September 5 meeting. By reducing the pavement thickness by ½ inch, changing from sod to seed, and … [Read more...]
Preston discusses first draft of 2018 Budget
At the August 24 meeting of the Preston City Council, the first draft of the 2018 budget and levy was reviewed. The total levy in this draft would be $894,425, or $62,931 more than in 2017. This represents a 7.57% increase. Year 2018 payments being made for two relatively recent construction/improvement projects contribute significantly to the budget; Twenty-14 street project … [Read more...]
Rushford EDA looks to cut deficit
The Rushford Economic Development Authority has been a productive force within the City of Rushford, as a source and manager of flood recovery loans and a catalyst for increased economic stability and growth. However, unknown variables throughout each annual cycle make budget predictions challenging. To avoid dipping into further reserve funds, while facing a $31,000 deficit, … [Read more...]