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...]
A cold fire in the valley
It was a cold, long night in the Village of Fillmore, on the outskirts of Wykoff. Down in the valley, ash and snow fell in tandem as firefighters battled a house fire at Virginia Winslow’s property while enduring subzero temperatures. The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center received a 911 call at 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, from the resident at … [Read more...]
Results of the Harmony Community Chest 2017 Charity Drive
The 2017 Harmony Community Chest Drive has been completed. Even without the door-to-door solicitations, we raised $6,200 in mailed-in donations. This is up from the $5,675 raised in 2016. Proceeds from the drive are given to local and regional organizations and charities. The disbursement of funds was as follows, plus expenses: • $2,200 Harmony Ambulance • $600 Harmony … [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...]
Swimming pool project moves forward
At the November 27 meetings of the Chatfield City Council and the Committee of the Whole, the future construction of a new municipal swimming pool was discussed. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. Burbach Aquatics, Inc. (BAI) submitted a proposal for data collection, survey and site investigation (soil borings) at the proposed site for construction of the new pool. City Clerk … [Read more...]
Significant broadband expansion grants secured for Fillmore County
ST. PAUL, MN, November 22, 2017– Two communications and internet service providers in Fillmore County are set to receive funding for broadband expansion, thanks to a new round of grants announced as part of the state’s Border to Border Broadband program. The grants were made possible after the 2017 Minnesota legislature approved a Jobs and Economic Growth bill which included … [Read more...]
Minnesota weekly fuel update and outlook
November 27 — Average retail gasoline prices in Minnesota have fallen 2.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.45/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 2,856 gas outlets in Minnesota. This compares with the national average that has fallen 3.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.49/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. Including … [Read more...]