Brooke Wohlrabe

FAIRMONT -- On Saturday, Aug. 1 members of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) were in Fairmont to do Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) road check inspections on watercraft and trailers that passed by their set up at Gomsrud Park.

FAIRMONT--The Fairmont City Council held a workshop on Wednesday to begin discussion about the 2027 budget. The preliminary budget does not need to be set until September and the final budget and levy won't be adopted until December.

FAIRMONT-- Windom Area Health is working on opening up a new clinic in Fairmont. Through a phased approach, multiple specialty services will be provided with the first starting to be offered in the fall of this year.

FAIRMONT-- On Tuesday the Martin County Board of Commissioners received some news about the condition of the building at 1200 N. State Street in Fairmont. The county has been working on making improvements to the Fairmont-based, county-owned building in order to rehouse some county departments, including the 4H Extension Office and Veteran Service Office, which were previously leasing various office spaces, in it.

FAIRMONT-- Easier parking? Outdoor dining? Greenspace? The city of Fairmont is in the midst of seeking public input on potential downtown improvements via a survey. The survey, which can be taken online from a desktop or cell phone, went live late this week and will stay up until Sept. 11.

FAIRMONT-- Hailing from Bacup, Lancashire, England, James Butterworth has visited Fairmont several times in recent years and has no plans to stop returning.

FAIRMONT-- Pickleball courts in Fairmont were the focus of the city council meeting on Monday as the council made several decisions regarding the project, including location and size.

FAIRMONT--The Fairmont City Council held a second workshop on Tuesday to discuss the 2027 budget. The meeting really served as a continuation of the review of Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects that are either scheduled or proposed to be done in 2027 and included in that budget.

FAIRMONT-- Aug. 31 marks the last day at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce for Kandi Menne. She's been with the chamber for 11 years, the last four as president.

FAIRMONT-- The Fairmont City Council held its third budget workshop on Tuesday morning and the focus of this one was on the general fund and proposed 2027 tax levy. Right now, the city is looking at a proposed levy increase of 11.9 percent with the estimated property tax rate impact being a 5.8 percent increase.