The Fillmore County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to consider awarding multiple bridge and paving contracts, hear a personnel resignation and hiring requests, review a 2027 contract with Community and Economic Development Associates, and hold a public hearing on a proposed tobacco ordinance at its Nov. 10, 2026 meeting in Preston.
Discussion Points
•Consideration of a 2027 contract with Community and Economic Development Associates
•Engineer-listed bridge and paving projects to be awarded to lowest responsible bidders
•Public hearing on proposed tobacco ordinance
•Resignation of highway maintenance specialist and hiring procedures to fill vacancy
Fillmore County Board is scheduled to meet Nov. 10, 2026, to consider multiple highway construction contract awards from the Highway Engineer, personnel actions in Human Resources including a resignation and hiring steps, approval of a 2027 professional services contract with Community and Economic Development Associates, and a 10:00 a.m. public hearing on a proposed update to the county's tobacco retail licensing ordinance (effective April 1, 2027).
Discussion Points
•250-foot proximity restriction to schools for new licenses and minimum sales age of 21.
•Contract amount of $52,739 and estimated 766 hours of service for 2027.
•Enforcement: compliance checks, administrative fines, and license revocation on repeated violations.
•Proposed ban on flavored products except mint/menthol/wintergreen.
•Request to use existing interview pool after union seniority procedures are exhausted.
•Resignation effective date and length of service.
•Staff requested authorization to award six advertised projects to lowest responsible bidders.
•Term Jan. 1\u0002Dec. 31, 2027, and 30-day termination clause.
•The packet shows advertising for bids was placed (audit list entries).
Fillmore County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to consider three final payments to Rochester Sand & Gravel for recent county highway projects and to sponsor two cities' applications for MnDOT Local Road Improvement Program funding at its November 3, 2026 special meeting in Preston. The agenda also includes a two-year farmland lease bid and routine calendar items.
Discussion Points
•Packet does not include a project cost estimate or local match figures in the provided pages.
•Packet lacks cost estimates and local match details in the pages provided.
•Staff recommended acceptance of the completed project and authorization of final payment; no alternatives or funding breakdown attached in the included pages.
•Staff requested acceptance of the completed project and authorization of the final payment; no alternatives or attachments provided in the excerpt.
•Staff requests county sponsorship and fiscal‑agent role for Rushford’s LRIP application; project scope includes roadway reconstruction and improved safety at the Root River Trail crossing.
•Staff requests county sponsorship and fiscal‑agent status for Chatfield’s LRIP application; project scope described (full‑depth reclamation, drainage, sidewalks, utilities).
•Staff sought formal acceptance and authorization of final payment; no backup documents included in the provided pages.
The Fillmore County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet on November 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Fillmore County Courthouse boardroom to consider several final road payment resolutions, sponsorships for local road improvement fund applications, and approval of a high bid for a two-year farmland lease.
Fillmore County Board met Oct. 27, 2026 in Preston and unanimously approved a request for state disaster assistance for Sept. 18 flooding, a three-year Everbridge emergency alerts contract, a Toward Zero Deaths grant, two airport grant resolutions, multiple personnel and contracting actions, and heard committee reports.
Discussion Points
•Contract intended to facilitate emergency alerts and improve public safety.
•County Engineer and Airport Office Manager authorized to execute grant documents.
•County Engineer authorized to execute grant and amendments.
•Emergency Manager Jason Harmening present to support the item.
•Grant amount and county match requirement recorded.
•Multiple routine personnel and administrative approvals recorded; minutes do not record contested debate.
•Peterson Bridge removal and sidewalk pour; Preston Township culvert contractor bankruptcy and payment closeout; 2027 projects out for bid through Nov. 9; 2026 projects finalized; Sept. storm damage estimated >$165,000; Courthouse parking lot complete; considering used equipment purchases for 2027.
Decisions
•Approved 3-year Everbridge contract.
•Approved Resolution 2026-032 authorizing grant agreement execution.
•Approved retirements, resignations, hiring authorization, PERA date change, assessor contracts and conference representatives.
•Approved the grant agreement.
•Approved to submit letter requesting state disaster assistance.
The Fillmore County Board of Commissioners was scheduled to consider a request for state disaster assistance after Sept. 18 flooding, a three-year Everbridge emergency-alert contract, several grant resolutions for airport work, a Toward Zero Deaths grant agreement, and multiple personnel and contract items at its Oct. 27, 2026 special meeting.
Fillmore County's Oct. 27, 2026 packet asked the Board to request state disaster assistance after Sept. 18 storms, approve a three-year Everbridge emergency communications contract, accept a $12,300 Toward Zero Deaths grant, authorize two state airport grant agreements, and consider several personnel and interim-assessor contracts.
Discussion Points
•Emergency Management reported countywide flash flooding beginning Sept. 18, 2026 and an initial damage estimate in excess of $500,000.
•Everbridge materials note that clients must supply FEMA IPAWS credentials and that delivery via third-party carriers is not guaranteed.
•Grant amount $12,300 with $100 local match; Exhibit A allocates dollars to overtime enforcement categories.
•Interim-assessor coverage agreements with Freeborn County ($77.11/hr) and with Ryan Rasmusson ($65/hr).
•Payment contingent on invoicing and compliance with grant guidelines; grantee must not begin work until fully executed per Minn. Stat. §16B.98 (also referenced in packet).
•PERA PRO contract for Darrell Schmitt beginning Dec. 18, 2026 at $49.27/hour capped at 1,044 hours/year.
•Quote lists annual fee of $6,257.47 and 1,000,000 message credits per year.
•Resolutions follow MnDOT guidance that signing officers be named when funding is available.
•Resolutions name Fillmore County Engineer and Airport Office Manager as authorized signatories for Agreement Nos. 1064700 and 1064701.
•Retirement of Wanda Berg effective Jan. 4, 2027 and resignation of Bryan Milnes effective Oct. 29, 2026.
•The county’s PDA with state HSEM on Oct. 13 found damages over $1,000,000.
•Transfer Station Attendant posting requested; funding originates from 2027 tax levy.
Fillmore County commissioners met in a special session Oct. 20, 2026, and held a closed session under Minn. Stat. 13D.03 for labor negotiations with AFSCME eligibility workers; the union proposed moving to mediation. The meeting opened at 9:00 a.m. and adjourned at 10:01 a.m.
Discussion Points
•Board and AFSCME representatives discussed labor negotiations for eligibility workers before and after a closed session.
•Discussion between the Board and AFSCME representatives before and after a closed session focused on labor negotiations for eligibility workers.
Decisions
•Agenda approved; closed session approved; meeting adjourned. No recorded action on mediation.
•Board approved agenda; Board approved moving into a closed session; Board adjourned. No recorded decision on mediation.
Directions
•None recorded in minutes regarding mediation or further negotiation steps.
•None recorded in the minutes; no formal directive regarding mediation documented.
The Fillmore County Board of Commissioners held a regular session Oct. 13, 2026, addressing routine business including personnel changes, county farm proposals, and an approved $13,000 increase to the courthouse parking-lot project. During public comment, residents urged the county to raise concerns with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission about the proposed MariBell Transmission line and announced a town hall on Oct. 21.
Discussion Points
•An undermined area was found in the parking-lot project requiring additional curb and gutter work.
•Bakke: History Center annual meeting; Lentz: SCHAQ, SEMN EMS, Workforce Development, DAC, SEMN Emergency Communications Board; Dahl: Semcac transportation audit, Head Start presentation; Hillery: Department head review and AFSCME eligibility/support workers Oct. 20.
•Board approved advertising requests for County Farm proposals for 2027 and 2028.
•Board approved approximately $13,000 in additional cost.
•Board authorized advertising for a replacement.
•Public commenters urged the county to send a resolution to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission about the proposed MariBell Transmission line.
•Resignation effective Oct. 15; thanks for three years of service.
•Speakers raised property, health and noise concerns and encouraged attendance at a town hall Oct. 21.
Decisions
•Approved additional project cost (~$13,000)
•Authorization to advertise for County Farm proposals.
•Resignation accepted; recruitment authorized.
Directions
•Advertise for replacement Child Support Officer.
•Solicit proposals for County Farm use in 2027 and 2028.
The Fillmore County Board of Commissioners met in special session Oct. 6, 2026, handling labor negotiation follow-up, approving jail and airport project contracts, setting a public hearing on updates to the county Tobacco Ordinance, accepting a longtime employee's retirement, and approving several public‑health and personnel actions.
Discussion Points
•Contegrity Group reported the jail finished under budget by $164,794.26.
•Engineer presented bids and cost line items.
•HR announced retirement after 35 years of service.
•Kingsbury requested the county consider a zoning amendment to permit canoe and tube rentals on agricultural land.
•Public Health staff presented the grant and recommended supply updates.
Fillmore County Board of Commissioners met Sept. 22, 2026, and unanimously approved a series of routine and emergency measures, including a declaration of emergency for September 18–19 flooding and a preliminary levy increase. Other actions included resolutions on DMV funding, tax-forfeited land sale terms, employee benefits, and personnel matters.
Discussion Points
•Benefit committee recommendations were presented and the Board agreed to maintain employee costs while absorbing premium increases.
•Broadwater presented recaps of 2025 and 2026 tax-forfeited land holdings.
•Emergency Manager Jason Harmening presented the flooding incident and need for declaration.
•Finance Director presented CD maturity and recommended reinvestment at specified rate and term.
•Hillery presented levy options and the Board discussed further reductions but elected a 6.5% increase.
•HR presented retirement details and recommended recruitment timeline.
•Kraus presented SMIF’s recent projects and impact in Fillmore County, including loans, childcare initiatives and community grants.
•Sean Feind explained the purpose of seeking state revenue-sharing for deputy registrar offices and staff wage support.
•Whitacre presented the Domestic Violence Lethality Assessment and county statistics; Kingsburys offered public support.
Decisions
•Appropriation request for $2,000 recorded; no vote on appropriation recorded in minutes.
•Board approved benefits, plan amendment and canteen signers; meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
•Board approved reinvestment as recorded.
•Board approved Resolution 2026-025 declaring a state of emergency.
•Board approved Resolution 2026-026 to seek state revenue sharing.
•Board approved Resolution 2026-027 establishing terms for sale.
•Board approved Resolution 2026-028 setting a 6.5% preliminary levy.
•Proclamation and display approved; Oct. 22 designated as national purple day for county promotion.
•Retirement approved with ERIP Option A; recruitment authorized.
Directions
•Administrator or Auditor/Treasurer to pursue state-level revenue-sharing opportunities and report back.
•Administrator to continue refining budgets and recommend cuts to align with the approved levy.
•Auditor/Treasurer to implement sale terms and publish sale materials as required.
•County Advocate to distribute information about support resources and display participation.
•Emergency Management to coordinate recovery activities and document damages for potential assistance.
•HR to advertise position starting Sept. 23, 2026 and manage ERIP benefits implementation.
•Implement benefit changes and coordinate watershed plan amendment adoption; update canteen account signers with the bank.
Fillmore County Board met Sept. 1, 2026, approved multiple land-use permits and routine licenses, directed advertising of 2027 highway projects, approved a maintenance contract and several access permits, and passed a resolution to hold a special election to fill the District 3 commissioner vacancy.
Discussion Points
•Administrator presented updated levy and recommended scheduling special election
•Applicant request for commercial agricultural use
•Applicant request for farm winery
•Engineer presented the 2027 construction project plan map.
•Faith leaders voiced support for county elections and offered to educate the public.
•Purchase amount and funding offset from civil fingerprint account.
•Standard license and permit approvals on consent agenda and separate motions for microbusiness and access permits.
Decisions
•Adopt Resolution 2026-024 to hold special election for District 3 vacancy
Fillmore County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 25, 2026, to review department budgets for 2027, approve routine contracts and bids, authorize a Medical Examiner contract amendment, and consider courthouse security funding and several departmental staffing and procurement items.
Discussion Points
•Administration presented cost-report contract options, grant application authorization, and a proposed legal-software contract.
•Highway Committee report: Peterson bridge progress, culvert and overlay completions, upcoming County 1 and County 104 work.
•Presentation of 2025 Medical Examiner’s Death Report by Dr. Reichard.
•Presentation of proposed 2027 Sheriff’s Office budget by Sheriff DeGeorge and staff.
•Presentation of proposed Human Services 2027 budget by Director Berg and staff.
Decisions
•Approved contract amendment setting per-capita and future increase schedule.
•Approved cost-report contract, authorized grant application with a 50% match obligation, and approved Axon Justice contract for Attorney’s Office.
•Approved parking lot bid and cattle pass removal agreement.
•Approved the replacement social worker hire.
Directions
•Administrator to seek levy reductions and return with revised levy figures.
Fillmore County Board of Commissioners met on Aug. 11, 2026, approving highway contracts and access permits, submitting a letter of support for a regional business park initiative, receiving department budget proposals, and holding a closed-session mediation with AFSCME social workers. The board also discussed a proposed 2027 levy increase of 12.56976%.
Discussion Points
•Administrator presented proposed levy percentage of 12.56976%.
Fillmore County Board of Commissioners met August 4, 2026 in Preston and handled routine consent items, reviewed several 2027 departmental budgets, approved short-term investments and hiring actions, allocated MCIT dividends to infrastructure, and authorized using opioid funds to refurbish and transfer AEDs to local cities.
Discussion Points
•Approval to hire replacement Social Worker and procedural authorization to use prior candidate list for RN/SW positions.
•Authorize use of Opioid settlement funds to refurbish and transfer AEDs to local cities.
•Board agreed to hire two part-time election workers and capped the budget at $7,200 using VOTER funds.
•Board authorized Finance Director discretion to select investment terms up to five years.
•Highway Engineer reported City of Mabel bids awarded to Generation X.
•Initial motion to reinvest with First Southeast Bank failed for lack of second; substitute motion to reinvest with MAGIC was approved.
•Multiple department budget presentations for 2027 were given.
•Presentation of a new Revenue Recognition policy by Finance Director.
Decisions
•Approve budget up to $7,200 for two part-time election staff for 2026
•Approved replacement hire and authorized use of prior candidate list
•Authorize AED refurbishment and transfer program using Opioid funds
•First draft reading approved
•Invest additional $1,000,000 with Moreton Capital Markets (approved)
•No final adoptions at this meeting
•Reinvest matured $1,000,000 CD with MAGIC for 12 months at 4.21% APY (approved)
Directions
•Auditor/Treasurer/Elections staff to implement hires within the allocated budget.
•Draft and sign agreements with recipient cities prior to transfers.
•Finance Director to execute the investment based on board authorization.
•Finance Director to select and execute the investment.
•Human Resources to proceed with hires and candidate outreach.
•Items entered into the budget process for further review.
•Proceed with policy review following first draft approval.
The Fillmore County Board met July 28, 2026, approved routine consent items, heard a presentation and gift from the Fillmore County Historical Society and a request for increased 2027 funding, received public comment about an unfilled social services vacancy, approved budget- and election-related staffing changes including temporary hires and limited passport service, authorized a request for state disaster assistance after July flooding, approved multiple road access permits, several personnel actions, and payment on the jail project.
Discussion Points
•Availability of grants to help fund HVAC upgrades.
•Budgetary and administrative implications of transferring social workers to Public Health.
•Budgetary needs for Elections and Data Processing.
•High caseloads reported by Social Services Adult Team.
•High humidity risks to artifacts and need for HVAC replacement.
Special session of the Fillmore County Board of Commissioners on July 27, 2026, centered on AFSCME Eligibility Workers union negotiations, including a closed-session invocation under Minn. Stat. 13D.03; the board recessed to closed session and reconvened before adjourning.
Discussion Points
•Board and AFSCME representatives discussed labor negotiation matters; transcript records discussion but does not detail proposals or bargaining terms.
Decisions
•Board recessed to closed session per Minn. Stat. 13D.03 at 9:35 a.m.; reconvened at 10:07 a.m.; meeting adjourned at 10:11 a.m.
The Fillmore County Board of Commissioners met July 14, 2026, and approved routine business, several personnel hires, and two resolutions: a declaration of a state of emergency from July 2 flood damage and final bridge-payment approval. The board also accepted a $60,000 Blandin Foundation grant for community planning and heard public comment about an allegedly hazardous stream restoration on the Root River.
Discussion Points
•County Engineer present; minutes do not include invoice details.
•Each department presented its proposed 2027 budget for board review.
•Ergonomic testing and workstation adjustments were presented.
•Final payment for bridge replacement project LOST 9949-104 approved.
•Flooding on July 2, 2026 caused damage warranting a county emergency declaration.
•Grant will fund planning, housing study and Community Heart and Soul engagement.
•Jail Project Paybook #40 payment approved; paybook amount not recorded in minutes.
•Motion moved by Bakke, seconded by Lentz; passed unanimously among present commissioners.
•Motion moved by Lentz and seconded by Prestby; passed unanimously among present commissioners.
•Multiple hires for the Sheriff’s Office and Highway Department were approved with hourly rates recorded.
•Presenter reported a decrease in pain among participating employees.
•Soiney reported outfitters have contacted DNR and SWCD about the issue.
•Soiney stated the restoration project near Eagle Bluff is unsafe and has caused injuries for floaters.
•The minutes do not include requested dollar amounts or attachments.
Decisions
•Grant acceptance approved.
•Hires approved and paybook payment approved; administrative follow-up tasks recorded as planned.
•Informational presentation; no board action recorded.
•Informational presentations only; no adoption or vote recorded.
•No formal board action recorded; follow-up assigned to staff.
•Resolution 2026-019 adopted.
•Resolution 2026-020 adopted; project to be closed out by Highway Department.
Directions
•Administrator Hillery to contact the Soil and Water Conservation District to follow up.
•EDA to accept funds and terms; staff to execute terms (no schedule included in minutes).
•Emergency Management to document damages and coordinate assistance.
The Fillmore County Board met June 23, 2026 in Preston. Commissioners unanimously approved multiple consent items, several highway actions, two resolutions on performance measures, declined to pursue a land sale with the City of Preston, and held/adopted amendments to the Hemp and Cannabis ordinance following a public hearing.
Discussion Points
•Adkins reviewed changes by Craig and Julene Stortz at Stortz Campground.
On June 16, 2026, the Fillmore County Board of Appeal and Equalization met in Preston to hear the 2026 assessment presentation and to consider a recommended reduction in the assessed value of Parcel 17.0579.010. The board voted 4-1 to lower the parcel's valuation from $431,200 to $346,000 after the county assessor recommended the change; the meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Discussion Points
•Assessor presented comparables and recommended lowering the valuation for Parcel 17.0579.010 from $431,200 to $346,000.
•Assessor presented overview of 2026 assessment changes.
•Board Chair Randy Dahl objected to the decrease during discussion.
•There were no scheduled or walk-in appeals recorded.
Decisions
•Board approved the assessor\u0002s recommended decrease in assessed value for Parcel 17.0579.010 by vote.
