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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 11, 2008, beginning at 8PM. Official minutes of this annual town meeting have not yet been approved.
Residents attending the annual meeting were Trudy Horihan, Perlind Olson, Gordon Kallis, Paul Spande, Donald Gjerdrum, Robert Housker, Mike Larson, and Neil Halverson. Township officers attending the meeting were Gerald Peter, Brad Kelly, David Williams, David Larson and Charles Olson.
David Larson, township clerk, called the meeting to order. Township residents elected Mike Larson as moderator of the meeting.
Topics Discussed
Treasurer's Report
David Larson distributed and presented the treasurer's report of financial activity during year 2007. Chuck Olson reported on the township bank balances available.
Year 2008 Budget
David Williams circulated and presented a review of the year 2008 budget approved by the township board. The budget calls for the township to spend approximately $147,107 this year, with $125,106 of the expenditures being allocated to road and bridge maintenance and road equipment acquisition and repair. Williams pointed out that the amount allocated for gravel is being increased by $5,000 to $30,000 this year because the township board believes roads will need more rock following the heavy snowfall during winter months. Additionally, the township must complete road repairs following the August 2007 flood damage. Williams reported that the township is purchasing a new plow truck at a cost of almost $130,000. Most of the purchase price of the new plow truck will be financed by Associated Bank of Rushford. The annual road grader payment of approximately $12,000 was made in January, and the last grader payment will be made in 2009.
Property Tax Levy for 2008
David Williams presented the township board's recommendation for a property tax levy for 2009. The board recommended a total levy in the amount of $95,500, the same amount as the 2008 levy. Although some township residents urged an increase in the levy by $10,000, ultimately township residents approved a motion to maintain the 2009 levy at $95,500.
Road Repairs
Gerald Peter reported on the status of repairing the South Fork Hill section of Aurora Road following the slide damage from the August flooding. Although the township board anticipated the repairs would be completed before the onset of winter, the contractor was unable to do so. The repair work will begin in spring after the ground firms up.
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 10, 2009. All township board meetings will start at 7:00PM during 2008.
Official Newspaper
The township residents designated the Fillmore County Journal as the official newspaper of the township.
Report of Annual Election
David Larson reported on the results of the township election. David Williams was re-elected as supervisor, and David Larson was re-elected as clerk.
Township Board Meeting Agendas
Trudy Horihan urged the township board to prepare and circulate agendas of monthly township board meetings prior to the meetings. She suggested the agendas could be published on the township website at least several days prior to the meetings, to enable township residents to anticipate meeting topics. More township residents would attend township board meetings if they are aware of the agendas. Ms. Horihan also urged the township board to distribute flyers to all township residents reminding them of the township website.
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