At the August 8 board meeting, County Administrator Bobbie Hillery suggested a detailed plan to restructure the Zoning Office. The board had just approved the retirement of Kristi Ruesink, accounting technician, with thanks for her 35 years of service, effective January 4, 2024. She was thanked especially for the advanced notice of her retirement. Hillery said there have … [Read more...]
Children’s Mental Health Case Management
Fillmore County Children’s Mental Health case workers made their first presentation to the county board at the August 1 meeting. The county terminated its contract with Hiawatha Valley Mental Health in Winona on May 1. The county now provides children’s mental health services. The Fillmore County Children’s Mental Health team includes caseworkers Ashley Greden, Andrea … [Read more...]
Fillmore County continues 2024 budgeting process
Four departmental budgets were reviewed at the county board’s July 25 meeting. Terry Schultz, Facilities Maintenance supervisor, detailed budgets for the Building Maintenance department and Infrastructure. The proposed Building Maintenance budget is about $20,000 higher than the 2023 budget, or $563,195 for 2024. The increase is mostly due to gross salaries and the county … [Read more...]
St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church to celebrate sesquicentennial
Among the gently rolling hills of Southern Fillmore County is Granger, Minn., This small unincorporated town has a historical milestone coming up. They are celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Matthew’s Lutheran church. In the late 1850s, the village of Granger was founded and from there, German settlers started holding church services in their homes. It wasn’t until … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Flashback Meet the stars of Hamilton!
By Sara Sturgis Executive Director Fillmore County Historical Society Surprise, it’s not Lin Manuel Miranda of the acclaimed Broadway play but rather Doctors Alfred and Henry Plummer, the two stars of our own village of Hamilton (not to mention the international medical community), Around 1867, following his service in the Civil War, Dr. Albert Plummer and his wife … [Read more...]
One step toward hope
Fillmore County towns are eager for the opportunity to host Relay for Life. Earlier Relay for Life events in Fillmore and Houston Counties were a joint venture; one year in Fillmore County, the following year in Houston County. Houston County no longer holds a relay event. Host communities must commit to hosting the event two years in a row. This is Fountain’s second year … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department participates in active shooter training
By Janette Dragvold The week of July 10, 2023, Kingsland Schools in Spring Valley, Minn., served as the scene for active shooter training for the Fillmore County Sheriff’s department. The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training know as ALERRT, is an FBI sponsored training program out of Texas that is available for law enforcement departments. The program was … [Read more...]
Fillmore County reviews 2022 performance measures
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reviewed the 2022 performance measure results at the board’s June 27 meeting. The county continues to participate in the Minnesota performance measurement program which is intended to help residents and elected officials measure the ability of the county’s programs to produce quality and efficient, cost-effective service. The Minnesota … [Read more...]
Fillmore County hears property valuation appeals
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery swore in members for the Fillmore County Board of Appeal and Equalization at the June 13 meeting. Members included the five county commissioners and Auditor/Treasurer Heather Broadwater. County Assessor Jason McCaslin gave an overview of changes for the 2023 assessment. He noted he appealed a calculation of 12.5% inflation for residential … [Read more...]
Area ambulance services request larger appropriation from Fillmore County
At the June 6 meeting of the county board, directors of three ambulance services, including Sue Puffer of Spring Valley, Deb Ristau of Preston/Lanesboro, and Rocky Burnett of Chatfield, asked the board to consider an increase in the 2024 area ambulance appropriations. The county has provided an appropriation of $4,500 to each area service since 2003. Puffer explained that both … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to replace radio tower microwave equipment
Sheriff John DeGeorge explained the radio microwave equipment, which is part of the ARMER 800 mhz radio communication system, is not working on two of the three towers near Preston. The equipment is on a tower near the office, on a tower uphill near POET, and on the Amherst tower. DeGeorge recommended replacing the equipment on all three towers. The Amherst tower equipment is … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Cannabinoid/THC Ordinance public hearing set for May 23
County Attorney Brett Corson asked the county board if there were any concerns regarding the draft ordinance before them on Cannabinoid/THC at the board’s April 25 meeting. A committee was formed to work on a draft ordinance on February 28. The draft ordinance the committee produced is intended to regulate the sale of hemp derived products in Fillmore County to protect public … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Jail Project moves forward
Mike Bubany, David Drown & Associates, reviewed funding options for the renovation and expansion of the Fillmore County jail at the county board’s April 11 meeting. At the last board meeting, a motion to move forward with the project along with the EOC/Training room was tabled. Only four commissioners had been present at that meeting, as chairman Larry Hindt was absent. … [Read more...]
Jail renovation and expansion bids presented
Bruce Schwartzman, BKV Group, and Pete Filippi, Contegrity Group, addressed the Fillmore County Board at their April 4 meeting. Chairman Larry Hindt was absent due to a medical issue. Schwartzman explained that the jail project went out for bids in February; the bids came in on March 23. There was good bid coverage with 25 bid categories and 57 bids total. Two categories … [Read more...]
Fillmore County PSAP manager
The Fillmore County Board held a relatively brief meeting on March 28. Commissioner Randy Dahl was absent. Sheriff John DeGeorge requested approval of a proposal from Northland Business Systems to replace the server for the PSAP (public safety answering point) logger, which is in need of replacement. The new server will be paid for out of 911 grant funds. With trade-in credit … [Read more...]