The Litchfield City Council had some discussion on Monday evening about enforcing the winter parking rules. The abundant snowfall during the first half of December made it evident that many people are not familiar with the winter parking ordinance.
Mayor Ron Dingmann says the Council decided to make an effort to educate the public about the parking rules. He says when it snows one or more inches, vehicles must not be parked on the streets until the snow is removed.
Mayor Dingmann says vehicles that are parked on the streets during snow events will get a $50 fine the first time, a $100 fine for a second offense, and then a $100 fine and towing of the vehicle after that. He says the Council will have a work session in March to educate themselves about any misunderstandings regarding contracted services. The City hires numerous consultants for engineering, legal and other services.
Mayor Dingmann says the Council approved of a bid Monday evening for 3 transformers from WEG Transformers USA from Washington, Missouri for $6,053,700 and the City will have to issue debt to pay for much of the cost of those; and approved of building conditions assessment for the G.A.R. Hall and 4594 Design had the low bid for that project of $18,850.
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners has moved to affirm support of the Meeker Memorial Hospital project and commitment to future approval of financing. The hospital board will be seeking financing of up to $30,000,000 towards the estimated $55,000,000 project.
The proposed project will include a new three-story addition to the hospital that will include spaces for the clinic, laboratory, infusion, rehabilitation, and specialty medicine services, in addition to new administrative and food services spaces. Additionally, the front of the hospital will be shifted from facing south on Lockerbie Street to facing east on Sibley Avenue, which is intended to provide more visibility for the facility.
To facilitate this improvement, the City of Litchfield has already approved the vacation of Lockerbie Street between Sibley Avenue and the alley east of Miller Avenue. The project is anticipated to cost up to $55-million, funded through existing reserves and new debt. The debt will be funded with the hospital’s operating revenues and will be structured to minimize any risk to taxpayers.
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners approved of the 2026 property tax levy of $19,010,391 – an increase of 9.16%, and the 2026 budget of $46,448,540 which is a decrease of 11.1% from 2025. The Board has moved to set a public hearing for a transportation local option sales tax during the February 3rd meeting at 8:30 a.m.
The Board approved of the reappointment of Tim Steinert as the County Veterans Service Officer for a term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2029; moved to approve an agreement with Minnesota Housing regarding the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Minnesota City Participation Program; move to approve authorizing the Snowmobile Safety Enforcement Grant of $2,552.37 for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, and July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; and moved to approve of a quote from Climate Makers in the amount of $30,950 for a Direct Digital Controls upgrade in the jail.
The Commissioners also approved of numerous 2026 Health & Human Services contracts; listened to an annual report regarding income maintenance, eligibility and medical assistance from the Health & Human Services Department officials; and heard an annual report from Property Records, Taxation and Elections Manager Holly Nelson.
A Christmas concert with the Kingery Family will be held at the Litchfield Christian Church on Thursday from 6:30-to-7:30 p.m. – sponsored by Paul & Pam White. A freewill offering will be taken for the Meeker Area Food Shelf.
Paul White says if you’re not able to make a donation, come to the concert any way as they want as many people to hear the great music and Christmas message from the Kingery Family. He says an anonymous donor will match the funds that are raised, and the Food Shelf is such a worthy place to donate money.
White says the concert will last about an hour and refreshments will be served. Jamie Revermann from the Meeker Area Food Shelf says with the cash donations she receives, she can purchase food at a discount from Second Harvest Heartland and she’s seeing more families and elderly people coming in to the Food Shelf for help than ever before. She says the community has really stepped up to help.
Revermann says people are trying to juggle items in their budgets and the only place with some wiggle room is food, but they don’t want people to cut back on their nutritional needs. She says they try to nudge people towards more nutritional items when they visit the food shelf and the food shelves are set up with the healthier items in the front.
Revermann says the Food Shelf in downtown Litchfield is open Mondays from 11-to-6 and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10-to-3; the Food Shelf in Dassel is open Tuesday from 10-to-3 and Thursday from 3-to-6; and they also have a mobile unit for people who cannot make it to the Food Shelf. She says if anyone has questions, they may call 320-693-7661.