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...]
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...]
Unemployment rate falls to 3.3% in October Jobless rate is lowest since October 2000
ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota’s unemployment rate fell 0.4% in October to 3.3%, its lowest level in 17 years, according to seasonally adjusted figures released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The U.S. jobless rate was 4.1% in October. The agency said state employers eliminated 4,500 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in October. Over … [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...]
Minnesota weekly fuel update and outlook
December 4 - Average retail gasoline prices in Minnesota have fallen 2.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.41/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 2,856 gas outlets in Minnesota. This compares with the national average that has fallen 3.5 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.46/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. Including the … [Read more...]