Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office reported 25 calls in the week of September 6th to September 12th. Among the calls handled during the week were one arrest, one disturbance, one verbal domestic, and one concern for welfare. Deputies also responded to four reports of suspicious activity, a hazardous material spill, a driving complaint, and an accident with no injuries. Other activity included motorist assists, traffic stops, civil process calls, a predatory offender check, and a warrant. A full listing of all calls in the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office Weekly Citizens Report is available by clicking the link below.
SO Weekly Citizen Report Sept 6th -12th
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Windom Police Department reported a damage to property on the 13th at 7:13pm in the 300 block of 6th Avenue. According to the report, the mailbox door was broken off. Estimated value of damage is unknown.
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The Windom City Council approved a preliminary property tax levy increase of 10 percent for 2027 during its Council meeting last night. City Administrator Steve Nasby presented the preliminary 2027 budget and explained that city staff had initially recommended setting the preliminary levy at $3,059,362, Three million, fifty-nine thousand, three hundred sixty-two dollars.which represented a 9.67 percent increase, or approximately $269,841 more than the 2026 levy. Nasby said several factors are contributing to the proposed increase, including inflation, higher equipment costs, upcoming labor negotiations and projected increases in insurance costs. The city is also adding approximately $195,919 in debt service related to the First Avenue and 2025 Alley projects. The preliminary budget also includes $460,000 for capital improvements. Nasby explained that the amount gives the council flexibility as it works through the budget, particularly because labor costs have not yet been finalized. Council members spent considerable time discussing how much flexibility should be built into the preliminary levy. Nasby stressed that the number approved in September serves as a maximum. The council can lower the levy during its upcoming budget discussions, but it cannot increase it once the preliminary levy is established. Mayor Hilary Mathis and Councilwoman Jenny Quade expressed support for setting a higher preliminary amount to provide additional room for unknown expenses, including labor negotiations and health insurance costs. Quade suggested a preliminary increase of around 13 percent, and went on to say setting the number higher would allow the council to reduce it later as more information becomes available. Councilman Scott Benson expressed concern about the size of the increase and said he believes the city needs to live within its means. Councilman Jayesun Sherman also said he was uncomfortable setting the preliminary levy substantially higher, indicating 10 percent was as high as he was willing to go. Benson ultimately made the motion to set the preliminary levy at a 10 percent increase, with Councilman Jim Nelson seconding. The resolution passed on a 4-to-1 vote, with Sherman, Benson, Nelson and Councilman Dennis Esplan voting in favor and Quade voting against. The 10 percent figure is not the city’s final 2027 property tax levy. The council will continue reviewing the budget during upcoming budget workshops and may reduce the levy before adopting the final amount. The preliminary levy establishes the maximum the city can collect for 2027.
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The University of Minnesota Extension will host the 25th Annual Tri-State Drainage Research Forum later this month, bringing together agricultural producers, drainage contractors, consultants, agency staff and researchers to discuss drainage and water management practices. An optional pre-forum field tour will be held Wednesday, September 30th, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca. The main research forum will be Thursday, October 1st, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Bass Pro Shop in Owatonna. The event will highlight 25 years of drainage research along with emerging technologies, conservation practices and precision water management. The forum is presented in partnership with South Dakota State University, Iowa State University and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Pre-registration is required. Registration is $99 and student registration is also available. Complete program and registration information can be found at www.z.umn.edu/drainageresearchforum