R. Ross Reichard, D.D., Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner, presented 2018 data for Fillmore County at the September 10 county board meeting. Chairman Duane Bakke was absent. Reichard’s office serves eight counties in southeast Minnesota. He emphasized the importance of the medical examiner’s staff including investigators throughout the region. In 2018, 136 … [Read more...]
County 2020 budget
The county board reviewed budget proposals from several departments at their September 3 meeting. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman produced a very preliminary 2020 budget with a levy increase of over 6%. Vickerman made it clear that she already could take about 1% of the increase off the top. Part of the reduction is a savings of $42,000 because the health insurance … [Read more...]
New District 3 Commissioner joins County Board
All districts were again represented at the August 27 meeting of the Fillmore County board of commissioners. Newly elected Larry Hindt, representing the third district, was sworn in last week by Judge Matthew Opat. More budget proposals for 2020 were reviewed. Departmental budgets reflect salary increases of 2.5% and health insurance increases of 7.5%. The preliminary 2020 … [Read more...]
Fighting drugs in our neighborhoods
On August 14 the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore County Attorney’s Office teamed up at the Methodist Church in Fillmore, Minn., to address illegal drugs in Fillmore County. Topics covered education on the wide variety of illegal drugs as attendees learned how these substances are made and distributed. A strong emphasis was placed on how the residents of the … [Read more...]
Finance Department policy and procedures approved
Policies and procedures were approved and put into place for the recently created Finance Department at the August 13 county board meeting. Statutory issues which have been analyzed in detail concerning legalities over the creation of the department were resolved. The board sought verification that they would be within statutory requirements with the creation of the finance … [Read more...]
County jail future discussed
The annual Jail Inspection Report was reviewed at the county board’s August 6 meeting. The report is issued by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. The Fillmore County Jail, which is the second oldest in the state, was limited to a 90-day facility in February 2017. Sheriff John DeGeorge and Jail Administrator James Fenske felt there was nothing in the report that was … [Read more...]
Increase in scam activity
The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office would like the public to be aware that we are seeing an increase in scam activity. Some of the scams have involved spoofed phone numbers where caller ID will show a legitimate business, sometimes even local government phone numbers. The caller then demands payment by reloadable prepaid cards such as Apple iTunes cards. The callers can be … [Read more...]
Floodplain District amendments Public hearing set for August 6
Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins reviewed proposed revisions to the county’s 610. Floodplain District ordinance at the July 25 planning commission meeting. After waiting for the revised maps for several years the updated FEMA maps are to be finalized effective August 15. As part of the process, the county is required to amend its ordinance, referencing the updated maps. … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Historical Society Museum welcomes two fresh faces
By Katrina Bergey The Fillmore County Historical Society Museum and Library, located in Fountain, Minn., has undergone some significant staff changes. Sara Sturgis was recently hired as the new director of the Fillmore County Historical Society along with Bretta Grabau who is the assistant director. Both women are thrilled about their new jobs and the goals they hope to … [Read more...]
Increase in scam activity
The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office would like the public to be aware that we are seeing an increase in scam activity. Some of the scams have involved spoofed phone numbers where caller ID will show a legitimate business, sometimes even local government phone numbers. The caller then demands payment by reloadable prepaid cards such as Apple iTunes cards. The callers can be … [Read more...]
County creates finance department
Fillmore County commissioners, for several years, have worked toward centralized finance. At the July 23 meeting, the board unanimously voted to create a Finance Department, effective August 1 as recommended by the Personnel Committee. Commissioner Randy Dahl, who has long supported centralized finance, noted that a Finance Department is the norm for most counties in the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Police Reports
Chatfield Police Department Nancy Kay Boettcher, 73, Chatfield, Minn.; 6/12/2019, Failure to Yield at Stop Sign, Fine $50, Total Fees $140. Sakinah Lamoni Caradine, 19, Chatfield, Minn.; 4/16/2019, No Motor Vehicle Insurance - Driver, Fine $200, Total Fees $290. Jeanette Louise Finley, 52, Chatfield, Minn.; 4/25/2019, Driving After Revocation, Fine $200, Total Fees … [Read more...]
County reverses course
At the July 9 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, the Land Records Department established earlier this year was quashed. The board voted unanimously to change back from the Land Records Director position to the County Assessor position. Human Resources Officer Kristina Kohn explained the department headed by a Land Records Director was not functioning as the board … [Read more...]
County declares state of emergency
The board authorized a letter to be sent to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety stating the county experienced extensive damage from the June 27-28 heavy rains and flooding. The commissioners unanimously passed a resolution declaring a state of emergency due to conditions resulting from the June flooding event at the July 2 board meeting. County Coordinator Bobbie … [Read more...]
County performance measures discussed
County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman reviewed the 2018 Performance Measure results at the board’s June 25 meeting. In 2010 the Minnesota legislature created the Council on Local Results and Innovation. Counties that participate in the comprehensive measurement program are exempt from levy limits for taxes. Fillmore County has adopted more than the required 10 performance … [Read more...]