South metro town briefs

Fire chief goes full time Doug Hartman has been hired as Prior Lake's first full-time fire chief.

Hartman has been the department's paid-per-call chief for three years, and he was with the department for 16 years before that.

The Prior Lake agency is responsible for 24,000 people in 11,000 dwelling units in the city and about 21,000 people in Credit River and Spring Lake townships. It has 40 volunteer firefighters.

His hiring will allow for regular fire inspections for large buildings and more fire support for the townships, which pay 35 percent of the cost of the department.

Budget down, taxes steady The 2010 Dakota County budget got final approval last week from county commissioners, who were quick to note that spending is down and the tax levy is the same as it was in 2009.

The $236.6 million operating budget -- 5.3 percent smaller than the 2009 version -- reflects the elimination of 55 vacant positions and reduced travel and training expenses, among other adjustments.

For the average Dakota County homeowner with a house valued at $221,800, the county portion of the tax bill will be down $18 in 2010.

To make an appointment, call 651-438-4777 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Clinics will be held Monday at the Western Service Center in Apple Valley from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and at the County Administration Center in Hastings from noon to 4 p.m. On Dec. 30, the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul will host a clinic from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The vaccine is free, but people who have insurance are asked to bring their insurance cards to the appointments so that companies can be billed for the cost of administering the vaccine. The county will cover the costs for people who are uninsured.

For more information about the clinics and the availability of H1N1 vaccine, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search "H1N1" or check out the Minnesota Department of Health's Flue Clinic Finder at www.mdhflu.com.

Early countdown to 2010 A New Year's Eve bash featuring family-friendly outdoor activities will be held at Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

Hot snacks will be available for purchase. Participants are asked to bring their own sleds.

The event costs $5 per person for those who register online by Dec. 30, otherwise it's $10 at the door. Kids ages 5 and under are free. To register, search for "New Year's Eve" online at www.dakotacounty.us.

County saves $1.5 million on new building for fleet The combination of a soft construction market and careful design has cut the cost of Dakota County's new fleet storage building by about $1.5 million.

A construction contract approved by the county board last week, originally estimated at $4.5 million, came in at $2.9 million instead. Although some of that savings can be attributed to the construction industry's economic woes, county staff members noted that the building's design and location -- attached to an existing building -- saved $670,000.

The connection to an existing building eliminated the need to construct one exterior wall and allows the buildings to share some utilities, such as electricity.

Ag management classes for women begin in January Women involved in agriculture in Scott County and surrounding areas can improve their management skills by taking part in Annie's Project, limited to 20 people and beginning next month.

Jan. 20 is the start date for the sessions, taught by University of Minnesota Extension experts and agri-business professionals. A $100 registration fee includes farm management computer software, class materials and lunch for six sessions -- Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Jordan.

Annie's Project was the idea of an Illinois educator and is named after her mother, Annie Fleck, a city girl who married a dairy farmer. To register, contact Laura Kieser at 952-466-5306 or 952-492-5386 or torb0022@umn.edu.

Wine event raises $7,500 This year's Fall wine tasting at the Savage Municipal Liquor store raised $7,649 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, city officials say.

"These gifts will help to create memories of hope, strength and joy that will last a lifetime for a child and family dealing with a life-threatening illness," the foundation's executive director, Tom McKinney, told city officials in a letter of gratitude this month.