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PREBLE TOWNSHIP Fillmore County, Minnesota
Preble Township Annual Town Meeting Highlights The following topics were discussed at the annual meeting of the township held on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, beginning at 8PM. Official minutes of this annual town meeting have not yet been approved.
Residents attending the annual meeting were Paul Spande, Robert Housker, Alfred Storlie, Paul Olson and Justin Gilbert. Township officers attending the meeting were Gerald Peter, Brad Kelly, David Williams, David Larson and Charles Olson. Fillmore County Commissioner Marc Prestby also attended the meeting.
David Larson, township clerk, called the meeting to order. Township residents elected Robert Housker as moderator of the meeting.
Topics Discussed
Treasurer's Report
David Larson distributed and presented the treasurer's report of financial activity during year 2010, and reported on the township bank balances available.
Year 2011 Budget
David Williams circulated and presented a review of the year 2011 budget approved by the township board. The budget presentation compared the approved year 2011 spending to actual and budgeted spending for year 2010. The 2011 budget anticipates total revenue of $118,900 during the year. The 2011 budget calls for the township to spend approximately $117,525 this year, with $90,880 of the expenditures being allocated to road and bridge maintenance and road equipment maintenance and repair. Williams pointed out that the amount allocated for gravel is being reduced to $15,000 this year because the township board believes roads will need less rock following a heavier application of rock last year. The township board anticipates replacing and repairing several culverts during 2011, but does not anticipate replacing any bridges.
Road equipment purchases comprise another large amount, with $20,000 to be paid to Associated Bank of Rushford for financing the 2008 purchase of a new plow truck. The final payment on purchasing the road grader was made in 2009, and that piece of road equipment is now owned by the township free and clear of any encumbrance.
Property Tax Levy for 2012
David Williams presented the township board's recommended options for a property tax levy for 2012. The township board recommended a total levy in the amount of $100,500, the same amount as the year 2011 levy. Township residents ultimately approved a levy of $100,500 for year 2012.
Road Repairs
Gerald Peter reported on the accomplishments of repairing road throughout the township during 2010. The yearend found township roads in the best condition than they had been in years. Peter noted that the small underused bridge along the bend in Arrowhead Road in section 26 was replaced with a culvert style construction effort that cost the township only $12,000. Peter also commended township employee Butch Obieglo for his work in plowing township roads and driveways during this past challenging winter.
Times for Annual Meeting and Regular Board Meetings
At the recommendation of the township board, township residents approved scheduling the annual town meeting to begin at 8:05PM on March 13, 2012. All township board meetings will start at 7:00PM during 2011.
Official Newspaper
The township residents designated the Fillmore County Journal as the official newspaper of the township.
Drake Road Cartway Dispute
David Williams reported on the settlement during 2010 of the ongoing dispute with Amherst Township over the maintenance of the Drake Road cartway. Amherst Township will now be responsible for maintaining this underused cartway; while Preble Township will maintain the entire length of 401st Avenue starting at the intersection with County Road 12 on the south and continuing north to the Preble Township boundary.
Special Event Funding
The township electors approved a resolution authorizing the township board to spend not more than $500 during any year to host a special event to recognize the service of township employees.
Report of Annual Election
David Larson reported on the results of the township election. David Williams was re-elected as supervisor, and Chuck Olson as re-elected as treasurer.
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