On December 10, the Mabel City Council held its annual Truth in Taxation hearing during the regularly scheduled city council meeting. The council meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mayor Adam Wilder. After the Truth in Taxation hearing, the council adopted the city’s 2026 budget and set the levy at 3.01%. City Clerk Karen Larson had hoped she could get it below 3%, but … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Council Approves Levy and Budget
The Truth and Taxation hearing was held prior to the Spring Valley City Council meeting on Monday, December 8. The council reviewed their proposed property tax levy, which will be collectible in 2026. The general operating budget is at $790,672, parks at $191,387, Economic Development Authority (EDA) at $83,237, the library at $177,000. The total debt levies are $768,450 and … [Read more...]
New Public Works Director for Houston
At their regular city council meeting December 8, the Houston City Council appointed Josh Hongerholt to replace Randy Thesing as the Public Works City Maintenance Superintendent. Thesing served in the position for nearly 24 years and will be retiring January 2, 2026. Hongerholt will receive 5% over the next wage band within the department. After a six month probationary … [Read more...]
Truth in Taxation, Audit & Teachers’ Contract at Lanesboro
At the Lanesboro School Board meeting December 10, the board listened to the Truth in Taxation presentation by Superintendent Matt Schultz, the 2024-2025 audit presented by Kali Lentz of Smith Schafer and details of the negotiated teachers’ agreement from Steve Storhoff. By the end of the meeting, the board had a good understanding of Lanesboro School’s current finances. No … [Read more...]
Peterson Hears Bridge Replacement Details
At the December 10 meeting, the Peterson Council heard from Fillmore County Engineer Ron Gregg regarding the replacement of the Root River bridge which is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city. The 1960s-era bridge will see a $6.1 million overhaul that is estimated to cost the city just $20,000. Federally-designated bi-partisan infrastructure funding will cover nearly … [Read more...]
Wykoff Council Reviews Funding Needs, Pension Increase and State Leave Mandate
Funding decisions, first responder coverage and a new statewide paid leave program shaped the December 8 meeting of the Wykoff City Council. Mayor Ryan Breckenridge was absent because of a family emergency, so Councilmember Jeff Hare presided as mayor pro tem. Councilors Barb Fate, Jane Baker and Missy Musel attended, along with City Administrator Becky Schmidt. After briefly … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton Joint Board Meeting
During the second quarter of each school year, the Mabel-Canton School Board hosts a joint board meeting with the Mabel and Canton city councils. This year, the joint board meeting was held on Tuesday, December 2, at the Mabel-Canton High School. The joint board meeting is an initiative implemented during Superintendent Gary Kuphal’s tenure at M-C. At the end of each joint … [Read more...]
Full House at the Houston School Board Meeting
The December 4 Houston School Board meeting brought an audience that filled the room; more chairs had to be brought in even. Usually such a full house means that perhaps a public concern has arisen. With a Truth-in-Taxation meeting to be held the same night, one might think there were a lot of disgruntled taxpayers, but neither scenario was the case. Sixteen members of The … [Read more...]
Former Farmers Win Coop Site Redevelopment Meeting
On December 3, over 40 city of Rushford citizens came to the R-P Forum Room to hear an update on the progress thus far on redeveloping the former Farmers Win Coop site in downtown Rushford and share their opinions about its future development. Kristin Prososki from TAB (Technical Assistance to Brownfields) led the meeting and began by reviewing what has happened so far. The … [Read more...]
Project for Improved Accessibility to Root River Planned in Lanesboro
The December 1 Lanesboro City Council meeting opened with the annual Truth-in-Taxation public hearing. City Administrator Mitchell Walbridge explained what the purpose of the hearing was as well as how property taxes are calculated. He noted that residents are able to appeal their property taxes at the Board of Appeals with the county assessor in the spring. The statements that … [Read more...]