The Eyota City Council approved the Olmsted County Law Enforcement Contracts for 2012 and 2013 contingent on Dovers approval of the contracts. Eyota, Dover and the Dover/Eyota School District share in the expense to provide law enforcement in the ci
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"Where Olmsted County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Saturday, May 18th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 5:36:49, May 15th 2013 - Frank Hawthorne - Though I hated to see you reference Glenn Beck by name [Three Times ... [Read More]
- 11:42:07, May 10th 2013 - yenken - I feel very sorry for those who have commented do far, as when you stand fa ... [Read More]
- 12:10:25, Apr 26th 2013 - Frank Hawthorne - Mr. "Cabtrom's" garbage-out[burst]--in response to Ms. Reisner's w ... [Read More]
- 9:51:50, Apr 24th 2013 - jeff pischke - To Jerry Grehl, the number to the fillmore county sheriffs office is 7 ... [Read More]
- 9:27:24, Apr 22nd 2013 - Cabtrom - Blah blah blah, garbage in garbage out! ... [Read More]
- 7:00:49, Apr 11th 2013 - Donald Pierce - Col. Stan Gudmundson hit most of the important nails squarly on the h ... [Read More]
- 12:44:54, Apr 4th 2013 - Frank Hawthorne - My compliments to Ms. Hammer for giving us well-crafted "Rachel Rea ... [Read More]
- 5:09:06, Apr 3rd 2013 - truthiness - I see this is dated April 1. That explains it! ... [Read More]
- 12:04:33, Apr 3rd 2013 - Frank W. Hawthorne - Say WHAT?!? Stan's American-Pie [In SKY] is Falling--Not Again? ... [Read More]
- 12:40:21, Mar 29th 2013 - Jacob - It's a shame that so few people care about making their voices heard. If we ... [Read More]
28
Should the Vikings be able to use the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium?
First Flood Relief, now utility bill relief
Wed, Sep 28th, 2011
Comments
Some Southeastern Minnesota utility customers are still paying, even though they haven’t drawn a drop of water in nearly a year.
It is one of the odd realities of the aftermath of the flooding that damaged several communities in late September of last year.
In Zumbro Falls, around two dozen property owners suffered so much damage that they will be included in either state or federal buyouts.
But even though they aren’t using Zumbro Falls water and sewer systems, they are still liable for the city’s base rate, which is $85 a month, in order for the community to meet its bond payment obligation.
“Not only do we have to charge it, but it’s high,” said Zumbro Falls Mayor Al Christenson.
He explained that when many cities upgrade their water and sewer systems they place assessments on properties.
But Zumbro Falls utility customers were against the idea of a $10,000 assessment when the details were debated before the improvements were made about four years ago.
The city eventually created a new well, built a new water tower and installed new waterlines for roughly a hundred customers, but a little more than a quarter of them were affected by last year’s flooding.
“I know it’s a hard sell,” said Mayor Christenson, “But even though they have to pay the $85 now, the bought out property owners will come out better than if they had done the $10,000 assessment.”
Mayor Christenson and a Zumbro Falls City Council member are among the people who are still paying even though they are not receiving any service.
Within the past month, threeflood damaged homes in Zumbro Falls were demolished and their homeowners will not have to pay any further utility bills.
But there is concern about how the city will make up the revenue when it eventually loses around a quarter of its customers to the buyouts.
Mayor Christenson said he has traveled to St. Paul to lobby state government for relief.
Thanks to the efforts of local lawmakers, the DNR appears to be willing to help Zumbro Falls, nearby Hammond and other cities with leftover relief money.
But the Mayor still isn’t sure yet if there will be any leftover
dollars.
If there are, he hopes there is enough to help Zumbro Falls get by at the same level or with a small utility bill increase. .....
[Read the Rest]
It is one of the odd realities of the aftermath of the flooding that damaged several communities in late September of last year.
In Zumbro Falls, around two dozen property owners suffered so much damage that they will be included in either state or federal buyouts.
But even though they aren’t using Zumbro Falls water and sewer systems, they are still liable for the city’s base rate, which is $85 a month, in order for the community to meet its bond payment obligation.
“Not only do we have to charge it, but it’s high,” said Zumbro Falls Mayor Al Christenson.
He explained that when many cities upgrade their water and sewer systems they place assessments on properties.
But Zumbro Falls utility customers were against the idea of a $10,000 assessment when the details were debated before the improvements were made about four years ago.
The city eventually created a new well, built a new water tower and installed new waterlines for roughly a hundred customers, but a little more than a quarter of them were affected by last year’s flooding.
“I know it’s a hard sell,” said Mayor Christenson, “But even though they have to pay the $85 now, the bought out property owners will come out better than if they had done the $10,000 assessment.”
Mayor Christenson and a Zumbro Falls City Council member are among the people who are still paying even though they are not receiving any service.
Within the past month, threeflood damaged homes in Zumbro Falls were demolished and their homeowners will not have to pay any further utility bills.
But there is concern about how the city will make up the revenue when it eventually loses around a quarter of its customers to the buyouts.
Mayor Christenson said he has traveled to St. Paul to lobby state government for relief.
Thanks to the efforts of local lawmakers, the DNR appears to be willing to help Zumbro Falls, nearby Hammond and other cities with leftover relief money.
But the Mayor still isn’t sure yet if there will be any leftover
dollars.
If there are, he hopes there is enough to help Zumbro Falls get by at the same level or with a small utility bill increase. .....
[Read the Rest]
Byron City Council raise storm water utility fees
Wed, Sep 28th, 2011
Posted in Byron
Posted in Byron
The Byron City Council approved raising the storm water utility fees in their meeting on Thursday night, September 22.
In a storm water utility study completed in 2007, it was determined that the rate of storm water utilities fees did not meet the
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Accident Report
Wed, Sep 28th, 2011
On September 17, 2011, at 2:03 a.m., a semi truck hit a pedestrian on a bicycle on Highway 52 in Rochester. Richard W. Zwart, age 27 of Rochester, sustained non life-threatening injuries. The semi truck fled the scene of the accident before law enfo
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Chatfield school year off to successful start
Wed, Sep 28th, 2011
Posted in Chatfield Education
Posted in Chatfield Education
Chatfield School Board members had a busy meeting discussing the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year on Monday, September 19, 2011. All members were in attendance for the regular meeting.
Superintendent Harris stated that the beginning of the
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FEMA funding impasse means added frustration for MN flood victims
Wed, Sep 28th, 2011
Southeastern Minnesota flood victims are hoping the latest skirmish in Congress over funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be resolved soon.
“A lot of us are frustrated,” said Zumbro Falls Mayor Al Christenson. “It’s unf
.....
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Stewartville EDA considers selling options for “Star” building
Wed, Sep 28th, 2011
Posted in Stewartville
Posted in Stewartville
The Stewartville Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Housing Redevelopment Authority heard from a potential buyer for the “Star” building at their meeting Tuesday night, September 20.
Steven Gronseth presented the purchase proposal that h
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Agrimson ~ Klein
Wed, Sep 28th, 2011
Posted in Special Announcements
Posted in Special Announcements
Chuck Klein and Erica Agrimson are pleased to announce their engagement and upcoming wedding on October 8, 2011, in Rural Peterson.
Erica graduated from Rushford, MN and Chuck graduated from Arcadia, WI. They now reside in Eau Claire, WI,
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Woitas ~ Johnson
Wed, Sep 28th, 2011
Posted in Special Announcements
Posted in Special Announcements
Tiffany Joy Woitas of Minnesota Lake, MN and Benjamin Thomas Johnson of Peterson, MN are pleased to announce their engagement and upcoming wedding.
Tiffany is the daughter of Mark and Mary Woitas and the late Dean Schirmer of Minnesota Lake, MN.
.....
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