Good news in SE
THUMBS UP: The news that the former Del Monte plant in Sleepy Eye may soon have a new owner is good news indeed. The plant closing last year after decades of operation in Sleepy Eye left hundreds of employees without work and the city without its major employer.
It was announced this week that Chasing Our Tails, Inc., a global pet treat manufacturer, has entered an agreement to buy the plant from Seneca Foods Corporation. Chasing Our Tails wants to reopen the plant for expanded packaging operations and new business lines. It plans to bring back 50 jobs in the next couple of years, a far cry from Del Monte’s heyday, but who knows where that may lead?
2021 Sleepy Eye city budget approved at Dec. 8 city council meeting
The Sleepy Eye City Council met via Zoom on Tuesday night, Dec. 8.
The first item on the agenda was the annual Truth in Taxation hearing to present the 2021 budget prior to council final approval. City Manager Bob Elston said there were no changes from the preliminary budget the council approved in September.
The final budget reflects a spending increase of 2.31% and a tax levy increase of 6%. Elston said the difference is due to a projection that Local Government Aid (LGA) revenue that comes from the state will likely be reduced. He budgeted for a possible LGA reduction of $50,000.