It’s been years in the making but a Fire Station addition and remodel is ever closer for Northfield. NAFRS Joint Powers Board Chair Glen Castore said the estimate late last year was $3.6 million, “which included all the construction costs and the financing charges. Right now, that estimate stands at $3.8 million”. That’s about a 4{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} increase which comes from additions in the project. He said, “probably the one that gets talked about the most is, on the addition, we would
anticipate putting a limestone facing”. Castore said that’s about $98,000 more than what they first selected. As a gateway into the Northfield downtown area, that’s been a concern for Council. There’s still some refinements to the cost estimates. Castore said the $3.8 million contains some safety margin. He added, “for example we’ve looked at the asbestos abatement cost. That’s going to come down quite a bit, it was sitting around $55 or 60,000, that’ll come down quite a bit”. A final design and cost estimate will be ready by the end of October, they’ll go out for bids in late November and open the bids in late January. Castore said the anticipated start of construction is in March. In parallel with the facility will be how to pay for it. There will be more on that tomorrow. Castore’s full interview is online at kymn.net.
Rice County sets Prelim Levy nearly 6{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} higher than last year
On September 12th, the Rice County Board of Commissioners approved their preliminary tax levy at over $25 million for the 2018 annual budget. Administrator Sara Folsted said this amount represents a 5.89{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} increase over last year’s final adopted net tax levy. The Board set the County Housing and Redevelopment Authority to levy just over $75,590. This represents a decrease of just over 19.36{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} over last year.
Snapchat video and drug charges
Note to those who would video smoking marijuana while driving around Faribault. You’ll get pulled over. On Saturday afternoon, Agents of the Cannon River Drug Task Force observed a video on SnapChat of 19 year old Austin Valenzuela, of Faribault, smoking marijuana in the front passenger seat of a vehicle driven by 19 year old Nolan Lake of New Prague. 20 year old Dylan Knott of Faribault was in the back seat. Later that day, an officer patrolling the 1100 block of 1st Ave. NW saw the trio driving with the front passenger door open. They pulled over in the nearby Godfather’s parking lot and all got out and started to walk away. They were told not to leave. The officer could smell marijuana coming out of the vehicle. A K9 unit was dispatched. A bag containing white powder, thought to be a cutting agent, was found in the center console. Multiple other baggies packaged with a simulated controlled substance and $2,000 in cash were found in a hidden compartment. Under the backseat was a large bag of marijuana. And in the trunk, officers discovered 57 doses of LSD. All 3 have been charged with felony drug sales. Valenzuela whose bail was set at $100,000 with conditions, and Knott remain in the Rice County jail. Initial court appearances are set for the end of the month. Valenzuela Complaint Knott Complaint Lake Complaint
