Brian Hoff represented Fillmore County at the Preston’s local Board of Appeal and Equalization during the April 17 city council meeting.
Hoff gave an overview of property values. Residential values increased in the city of Preston based on a sales study, as did values in most other cities in the county. The total estimated market value increased 5.76% to $107,887,400 in Preston. New construction in Preston in 2018 totaled $310,500.
No one from the public challenged their assessed values.
Veterans home
City Administrator Joe Hoffman said the federal application for the veterans home was submitted March 29. The three applications from Minnesota (Preston, Montevideo, and Bemidji) were the fifth, sixth, and seventh submitted this year. There also are 15 applications from last year that have not been funded that may be ahead in line.
This cycle there is $150 million of federal funding available. A non-public meeting is planned with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs in Preston in May.
Harry Kerr, representing the Minnesota Military Order of the Purple Heart, was present to give background on this organization and to present the idea of Preston becoming a Purple Heart City. He explained the process involved in becoming a Purple Heart City. At the completion of the process there will be a proclamation proclaiming Preston a Purple Heart City to honor local Purple Heart recipients. The council agreed to proceed with the process.
Other business in brief
•Gary Skaggs, 308 Franklin St. NW, has requested a variance to build a 12-foot by 20-foot attached lean-to carport on the south side of his house and garage. The city code calls for a 10-foot setback to the side property line. Skaggs has requested a setback of five feet. The variance was approved as recommended by the Planning Commission.
•A contract with eServices, a credit card processing service, was approved for ambulance service credit card payments. Ambulance Director Ryan Throckmorton recommended eServices because it focuses around EMS and can link directly to the ambulance service’s billing company.
•A list of street closures for Trout Days was approved: County 12 from Houston St. to St. Anthony St. from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 18. County 17 from Highway 52 to River St. from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on May 18. County 17 from Main St. to River St. from 9 a.m. May 18 to 2 a.m. May 19. Both the east and west parking lots at the courthouse from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 18. Main St. from St. Anthony St. to Houston St. from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on May 18. The alley adjacent to the National Trout Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 18 and the alley and parking lot adjacent to the Preston Servicemen’s Club 6 a.m. May 18 to 12 p.m. May 19.