At the December 17 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, the final 2020 budget and levy was approved with no real changes from the preliminary numbers. County Administrator Bobbie Vickerman reported the numbers: the total 2020 budget is $32,872,530, which includes the tax levy, other sources of revenue, and state and federal funding. The final levy payable in 2020 totals … [Read more...]
County looks at tobacco/vaping issue
Brenda Pohlman, Public Health educator, updated commissioners on the growing trend of electronic vaping devices and the growing use of these devices by young people at the December 3 County Board meeting. Pohlman brought a number of devices, most of which had been confiscated in local schools, to show the variety of devices available. The battery operated electronic devices … [Read more...]
County Truth in Taxation hearing
Fillmore County held its Truth in Taxation public hearing on December 3. This hearing is required by state law and is to be held after proposed tax notices for the coming year are sent out. It is an opportunity for property owners to participate and discuss budget and tax issues before the final levy is adopted. Several people who showed up for the hearing were there to … [Read more...]
County to move forward with jail needs study
At the November 26 County Board meeting, the future of the county jail was again discussed. A contract with Tom Weber, independent contractor, to assist with a jail needs study was approved. The contract with the consultant/facilitator will run from December 1, 2019, to November 30, 2020. Sheriff John DeGeorge said we need someone during the needs study to ask the right … [Read more...]
Christmas in Fillmore County is a good way to give locally
As the name would suggest, Christmas in Fillmore County is an annual giving program that’s been helping needy citizens of the county for over 30 years. Recently, Samantha Payne (Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development) and Lynn Mensink (Outreach Case Manager, Semcac) sat down to tell about the program, and its history. Mensink stated, “The Rural Concerns Taskforce … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Land Rent Survey results and upcoming Extension workshops
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s land rent survey. According to our survey results, 2019 land rental rates in Fillmore County averaged between $189.92-$197.61/acre. Survey responses for 2019 land rent ranged from $40.00-$300.00/acre. The predicted average for 2020 land rental rates is between $189.26-$197.03/acre. These values are based on 84 returned … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Public Health offers flu shots
Fillmore County Public Health has a limited quantity of flu shots available. We invite you to a flu shot clinic at 902 Houston Street, NW in Preston on Wednesday, November 27 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Lower Level – Room 108) Vaccine cost ranges from $35 to $60 depending upon the type given. Fillmore County Public Health has flu shots available for everyone age six months and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Housing Study
EDA Director Marty Walsh summarized the recently completed Fillmore County Housing Study at the county board’s November 12 meeting. Maxfield Research and Consulting, LLC prepared the housing study analysis. It concludes with recommendations on the types of housing needed in the county, both now and in the future. The summary begins with an analysis of the county’s … [Read more...]
Beaver Creek WMA addition
At the November 5 County Board meeting, Brandon Schad, Minnesota DNR, notified the board of a property donation to be added to the DNR Beaver Creek Wildlife Management Area. The donation of 52.81 acres is from Pheasants Forever, having received an appropriation from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage (Legacy) Council funding for the land purchase. The board does not have to … [Read more...]
Juvenile probation report
Travis Gransee, director of Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted (DFO) Community Corrections, highlighted juvenile probation data at the October 22 county board meeting. Gransee pointed out that there was an increase in the number of juvenile clients in Fillmore County in 2019 (44 in 2018 and 51 in 2019). His data showed that there was a significant percentage decrease in both Dodge and … [Read more...]