At the September 19 council meeting, Rushford Village Clerk Mary Miner said a notice will go out to all properties in the newsletter and on billing statements, in addition to being posted on the village website. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has implemented a drought-restrictive response phase. Of six drought levels listed by the National Drought Mitigation Center, nearly all of Fillmore County is currently in an extreme drought. The DNR Drought Plan Matrix highlights five phases and what triggers each. In 2021, the DNR placed most of the state in a Drought Warning Phase. Now, due to extreme watershed conditions and triggered by low flows, the level has been elevated to the Restrictive Phase.
The DNR asks water users to follow all Minnesota DNR allocation restrictions, reduce usage by 25% using water conservation practices, and minimize non-essential water use. These restrictions include, but are not limited to, washing home exteriors and vehicles, landscape irrigation, and other usage that does not impact health or safety.
Councilor Mike Ebner, serving as acting mayor in the absence of Mayor Dennis Overland, briefly questioned water usage by Featherstone Farm, a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) located in the village. The council later clarified that because Featherstone Farm pumps its water from the Root River and exceeds the threshold of more than 1,000 gallons per day, its permitting comes and is managed directly from the DNR.
The council also learned residents will see another village-wide survey sent in partnership with Community Economic Development Associates (CEDA). Property owners received a survey a few years ago regarding land use suggestions and availability. Now, the surveys will ask about city goals within the Comprehensive Plan. CEDA Business and Community Development Specialist Rebecca Charles addressed the council regarding the surveys.
CEDA will supply the first survey only to community leaders. It contains eight sections pertaining to the comprehensive plan, including resident demographics, housing, community facilities and amenities, economic development, parks and recreation, transportation, health services and community support services. The surveys can be completed anonymously. CEDA expects the resident survey to arrive in mailboxes as early as next week.
The Comprehensive Plan update is being funded by a Compeer Financial Grant. Charles is also planning a community input event.
In other news, the council set the preliminary 2024 levy and budget at $535,000. The amount represents a 7% increase over 2023. The council repeatedly stressed that this is preliminary. It will likely reduce before the final levy in December.
“I don’t know what more information can be provided right now, and I don’t know what’s going to happen between now and December with the final,” cautioned Miner.
Several outstanding items are playing into what the final figure will be. These items include the fire mill rate, an amount set by the Rushford Fire Department for service to Rushford Village, city employee wages and health insurance premiums, and increasing contracted services. Known expenses, but ones that are not necessarily in the budget at this point, include $60,000 in chip sealing of village streets, road work on County Line Drive and Gilbertson Road, $20,000 for the bridge work on Village Road, $70,000 for the Public Works maintenance shed, and a truck for Public Works.
Miner noted many cities are doing 7-8%. “Personally, I’d set it high knowing you’re not going to leave it high,” she suggested. “I think it may end at 2-3%.”
“At least when December comes, we’ll know and can reduce it,” noted Councilor Bob Hart.
“I’m hesitant. We’re not going to set it that high, but we need to be realistic when we set it, too,” said Ebner.
“We want to reiterate to the people that it’s a proposal. It’s a ‘what if’ if something happens between now and December,” added Councilor Travis Link.
The council also unanimously approved the KLM water tank inspection report. The report listed only two items that put the tank in non-compliance. If the replacement costs do not exceed $500, the council granted Public Works permission to proceed with the repair. If not, Chiglo will present the cost estimates at the next council meeting.
The maintenance shed project continues. The contractor expects to complete concrete work this week. Instead of pouring a north and south side apron to the building, in addition to the concrete floor inside, the council has opted to forgo the outside concrete for this year. This change allows them to review costs already incurred and redirect the funds towards insulation and work inside the shed before winter. The supplies for the outside work are already purchased and on-site, so it’s likely that work will recommence next spring.
The council voted to continue the meeting until September 25 at 6 p.m. A meeting for the fire mill rate meeting is being held that night at the Rushford Fire Hall.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is at city hall on October 3 at 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.
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