At the December 8 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, the 2026 levy was certified in the amount of $2,885,640. This represents an increase of $147,277, or 5.378% over 2025. Councilor Mike Urban was absent from the meeting.
City Administrator Michele Peterson presented goals and guidelines for 2026 during the Truth in Taxation hearing. Goals included the maintenance of a strong bond rating and a predictable tax rate. The city will practice succession planning and continue to reevaluate staff duties.
She listed departmental goals and needs. The city will work to promote new housing and business development. There will be a 3% pay increase for employees. Higher costs are driven by higher equipment prices, insurance premium increases, and inflation.
Peterson explained how a larger tax capacity allows the tax burden to be spread out. Eighty-six percent of the city’s tax capacity comes from residential properties. It would be helpful to expand commercial/industrial businesses to offset some of the tax burden. Tax capacity increases with the growth of the community.
Mayor John McBroom said property taxes will continue to increase just like everything else. There were no comments from the public.
Other Business in Brief
- The final payment to Rochester Sand & Gravel for the 2025 Street Improvement Project (mill & overlay) in the amount of $451,865 was approved. The original contract amount was $1,568,260. Craig Britton noted the project went well. Councilor Paul Novotny added there were some cost overruns but a lot of work was completed at a good value.
- Fire Chief Luke Thieke requested approval for the purchase of cordless rescue tools. The equipment purchases costing a total of $38,200 were approved as recommended by the Public Services Committee.
The appointments of Fire Department officers for 2026 were approved as recommended by the firefighters. Peter Erickson will be chief, Jason Baldner will serve as first assistant, Mitch Irish as second assistant, Steven Schlichter and James Danielson as captains, Chris Musty as training officer, and Steve Schmiedeberg as safety officer.
- Ordinance 484 Policy for Water and Sewer Operations (relating to the city’s water and wastewater systems) was approved as was the publication of a summary of the ordinance.
- An Eagle Scout project proposal presented by Owen Schwanke was approved as recommended by the Park & Recreation Committee. Schwanke said he wants to restore parts of the play area in City Park. He will start in the spring and plans to be done by fall 2026. He has access to some grant funds and hopes to raise a total of $2,000 for the project. He plans to also build a structure around the porta potties at Groen Park.
- Bluff Country Hiking Club annual request for $2,000 in support of the Lost Creek Hiking Trail was approved.
- A resolution was adopted authorizing an agreement to designate certain city streets and sidewalks as part of the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail (MDHT). MDHT is working to establish a 100 plus mile backpacking trail through the Driftless Region of Minnesota. Alexa Shapiro, trail director, said they are not requesting city funding.
- Joel Young, representing Southeast Minnesota Together, in regards to the Transportation Management Organization (TMO) asked for approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the contract with the state of Minnesota, and a request for quotes for the purpose of determining the preferred vendor to meet the project’s needs. The TMO region includes Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona Counties.
The MOU is to create an understanding between Chatfield, Southeast Service Cooperative (fiscal host), and SE MN Together in support of the TMO project. It outlines the responsibilities of each entity.
The MOU, the contract with the state, and the request for quotes (RFQ) were approved as requested.
- A recommendation to not move ahead with Minnesota Statewide Solar on public buildings program was approved.
- City Offices will be closed on December 26 and on January 2.
- Amendments to Section 12.01.02 PTO Accrual were approved as presented.
- A 50/50 split of the premium between employer and employee for Minnesota Paid Leave was approved, as allowed by law.
- Replacement of two pumps at the Division St. Lift Station at a cost of $18,269 was approved. The current pumps are 27 years old and show excessive wear.
- The hourly truck rate for snow hauling was was increased from $105/hour to $120/hour.
- An investment contribution in the amount of $5,250 to Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI) was approved.
- A donation in the amount of $300 from the Chosen Valley Community Foundation to be used for capital purchases by the library was accepted.
- Chatfield Center for the Arts was designated as the city’s polling place.
- A donation in the amount of $1,450 from the Chatfield Ambulance Department fund drive was accepted.
- A donation in the amount of $1,385 from the Chatfield Fire Department fund drive was accepted.
- A donation from Stitch Witches in the amount of $90 was accepted to be used for library capital purchases.
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