Northfield Liquor Operations Mgr, Stephen Delong, presented his 2018 budget to Council. He began by saying 2018 is unique from previous years wherein he projected a 2.5{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} increase in sales. He said, “this year we’re actually proposing a decline in sales of approximately 13{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9}, down to $2.7 million from approximately $3.1 or $3.2 million”. He attributes this to the changes in the competitive market, citing
the MGM liquor store coming to Dundas, in particular, and the Aldi Mkt opening right next to Firehouse Liquor. In terms of Sunday Sales, things are going well but it’s only been 8 weeks and they’re the only ones open in the area on Sundays. At least right now. He doesn’t know “how it will play out” in the coming months. A market study update from Dakota Worldwide predicts a loss of 44.8{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} in revenue or about $62,000. The muni usually pulls a profit of about $120,000 for the General Fund plus $40,000 goes to HCI and DARE program. In 2018, Delong predicted about $35,000 to the general fund and in 2019, any profit would go to building a new liquor store. A market and feasibility study was done in 2015, well before the addition of MGM. A site review and conceptual design happened last year and, Delong is looking for a final design and construction to begin next year. Council could choose not to proceed with a new liquor store. Administrator Ben Martig said the plan right now is to come back to council in September.
Nfld District/NEA reach tentative agreement
Northfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann and (NEA) announced a tentative agreement for a two- year contract governing the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. The Northfield School Board will vote on the agreement at its regularly scheduled meeting this evening. NEA membership will vote on Thursday. The agreement, the third lowest total increase over the past 10 two-year contract cycles (20 years), provides reasonable base salary increases, supports longevity pay for long-time District employees, and encourages teachers to save for their retirement through an improved District match for 403(b) contributions. We’ll hear more details from Hillmann tomorrow morning at 6:45am – this is a change from his normal 7:20 time slot.
Bridge opens on Hwy 56 near Stanton
Good news, the Hwy 56 detour near Stanton lifted on Saturday. Crews opened the newly constructed bridge south of Hwy 19. The new bridge is wider than the old one by about 11 feet and almost twice as long to match the roadway. Construction on the bridge in Kenyon is expected to be complete by mid-October.
DJJD Horseshoe hunt starts Wednesday
You can clean up during this year’s Defeat of Jesse James Days Horseshoe Hunt. In honor of 20 years, Cluemaster Tim Freeland added a bonus. According to the Nfld News, for those who hunt, Freeland will be handing out certificates of varying denominations for those carrying a bag to pick up garbage during their hunt. The Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce has donated $200 in Chamber Bucks to the effort. The annual hunt begins Wednesday with the first clue revealed live at 7 a.m. on 95.1 The One/KYMN Radio and our website, kymn.net, Northfield News website,and djjd.org. This is a button event so you need to register your button BEFORE the hunt begins. Go to djjd.org. There is also a Facebook page for the hunt, www.facebook.com/horseshoehunt. The hunt will run up to midnight Sept. 4, if it’s not found then, the hunt will officially end and prize money will be returned to the donors. This year’s prize is $1,300 thanks to Bursch Travel, Edina Realty, Coldwell Banker South Metro and Professional Pride Realty. The consolation prize for those who find the horseshoe but don’t have their button registered is $300.
