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Home My WebLink AboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 09/29/2026OTTERTAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 OTTER TAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES Government Services Center, Commissioners' Room & Via Livestream 515 West Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN September 29, 2026 I 8:30 a.m. CALL TO ORDER The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN . Commissioners Robert Lahman, Chair; Dan Bucholz, Vice Chair; Wayne Johnson, Kurt Mortenson and Sean Sullivan were present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Lahman called for approval of the Board Agenda. Motion by Mortenson, second by Bucholz and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners' Agenda of September 29, 2026, with the following addition: Administrative/Operations Committee: EMS APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Johnson, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to approve the consent agenda items as presented: 1. September 8, 2026, Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes 2. Warrants/Bills for September 29, 2026 (Exhibit A) 3. Amazon Warrants/Bills for September 29, 2026 (Exhibit A) 4. Human Services and Public Health Warrants/Bills for September 29, 2026 (Exhibit A) 5. Warrants/Bills, as Approved for Payment by the County Auditor-Treasurer, for September 4, 11, 17 & 18,2026 6. Sponsoring Agency LRIP Resolution -Aurdal Township 7. Sponsoring Agency LRIP Resolution -Everts Township 8. Sponsoring Agency LRIP Resolution -Nidaros Township 9. Approval of an LG220 Exempt Permit for Henning Fire Relief Association for an event on October 24, 2026 at Oakwood Supper Club and Golf Course located at 47420 County Highway 16, Henning, MN 56551 PROBATION SYSTEMS ASSESSMENT Independent Consultant Jason Anderson reviewed his report on the Otter Tail County and Todd/Wadena Counties Probation Systems Assessment. Anderson assessed the delivery of community corrections services by each agency and examined the prospect of establishing a new Joint Powers Agreement between Todd, Wadena and Otter Tail Counties. Page 1 of 17 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 PROBATION ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENTS Motion by Mortenson, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to appoint Jim Bjork, representing District 3, and Jason Burns, representing District 5, to each serve a two-year term on the Otter Tail County Probation Advisory Board. DRUG COURT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT Motion by Mortenson, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures on the Cooperative Agreement between Otter Tail County Probation and the Otter Tail County Adult Drug Treatment Court for the Adult Drug Treatment Court program, effective October 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. DWI COURT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT Motion by Bucholz, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures on the Cooperative Agreement between Otter Tail County Probation and Otter Tail County DWI Treatment Court for the DWI Treatment Court program, contingent upon final signatures from the State, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS Barry D. Bacheller Revocable Living Trust Land and Resource Management Director Chris LeClair informed the Board that the Planning Commission tabled the Barry Bacheller Revocable Living Trust Conditional Use Permit Application, for a re-grade of a previously altered bluff area, to the October Planning Commission meeting. This proposal is located south of 42273 Lida View Lane, Vergas, MN 56587, Section 23, Lida Township, Lida Lake (56-747) GD. Scott & Michelle Zajac Motion by Johnson, second by Bucholz and unanimously carried to accept the request for withdrawal of a Conditional Use Permit Application by Scott & Michelle Zajac for a Conditional Use Permit for a proposed dog boarding business located at 24885 Labrador Beach Rd, Pelican Rapids, MN 56572, Section 27, Dunn Township, Franklin Lake (56-759) GD . KJ Carpenter Motion by Bucholz, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to deny, as recommended by the Planning Commission, the After-the-Fact Conditional Use Permit Application, for KJ Carpenter, for a permit to amend Conditional Use Permit No. 2026-13 that would authorize the relocation of the priorly approved retaining wall that was constructed in an unapproved location. The After-the Fact Conditional Use Permit application was denied with requ irements for the applicant be requ ired to obtain the services of a professional eng ineer and submit a professional engineer-prepared corrective restoration plan and winter stabilization plan satisfactory to the Planning Commission, with materials due to the County by noon on October 21 , 2026 and with no work to be conducted on the Anton property without written permission from the Anton property owners. This proposal is located at 46744 County Highway 51, Perham , MN 56573 , Section 35 , Gorman Township, Little Pine Lake (56-142) GD. POMME DE TERRE CONTRACT FOR SERVICES WBIF FY27 Motion by Sullivan, second by Mortenson and motion carried with Johnson abstaining to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures to execute a contract for services between the Pomme de Terre River Association and Otter Tail County for FY2027 Pomme de Terre Watershed Based Implementation Funding . Page 2 of 17 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT Motion by Sullivan, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the 2026-2028 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local Union No. 1830 Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Highway Maintenance Unit as well as approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the County to provide hand and power tools as necessary for the performance of maintenance and repairs, as presented by Assistant Human Resources Director Stephanie Retzlaff. TOWARD ZERO DEATHS GRANT UPDATES Health Educator Emily Frustol and County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons provided updates on the Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) traffic safety program. Frustol spoke about the Otter Tail County Safe Communities Coalition and its mission to drive Otter Tail County towards zero deaths on our roadways and implementing effective traffic safety initiatives and Fitzgibbons spoke on traffic safety enforcement projects. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT OTTER TAIL COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-67 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Otter Tail County Public Health enter into a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, for traffic safety projects during the period from November 9, 2026 through September 30, 2027. THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Otter Tail County Public Health Director is hereby authorized to execute such agreements and amendments as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of Otter Tail County Public Health and to be the fiscal agent and administer the grant. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Bucholz, duly seconded by Commissioner Sullivan and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon, passed unanimously. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 29th day of September 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: October 13, 2026 Attesl:c1' &)L,__,J.f Wj~ Nicole Hansen, Clerk By: --=--...,(kL?~~"'------"'-'~'---"------- Robert Lahman , Board of Commissioners Chair OTTER TAIL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-68 Be it resolved that the Otter Tail County Sheriffs Office will enter into a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, for traffic safety enforcement projects during the period from October 1st, 2026, through September 30, 2027. The Otter Tail County Sheriffs Office is hereby authorized to execute such agreements and amendments as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the Otter Tail County Sheriffs Office and to be the fiscal agent and administer the grant. Page 3 of 17 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Johnson, duly seconded by Commissioner Mortenson and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon, passed unanimously. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 29th day of September 2026 . OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: October 13, 2026 By: _a ------t-~~µ~~-·~µ~~- Robert Lahman, Board of Commissioners Chair Attest: & ·{)ol;,Jj_ W)O-!.i}_ Nicole Hansen , Clerk RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-69 BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Otter Tail County, Minnesota (the "County"), as follows: Recitals. (a) The County proposes to approve tax abatements in connection with the construction of single family homes (the "Projects"), The County proposes to use the tax abatements for the Projects provided for in Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.1812 through 469.1815 (the "Abatement Law"), from the property taxes to be levied by the County on Parcel Identification Numbers 74000990814000, 76000280083003, 73000990561000 (the "Tax Abatement Properties"). (b) The County proposes to approve tax abatements on a portion of the County's share of property taxes on the Tax Abatement Properties in the amount of $5,000 for a term of up to five (5) years to finance a portion of the costs of the Project. (c) The tax abatement is authorized under the Abatement Law. Findings for the Tax Abatement. The Board hereby makes the following findings : (d) The tax abatement is the County's share of real estate taxes which relate to the Projects being constructed on the Tax Abatement Properties and not the real estate taxes that relate to the value of the land (the "Abatement"). (e) The Board expects the benefits to the County of the Abatement to be at least equal or exceed the costs to the County thereof. (f) Granting the Abatement is in the public interest because it will increase the tax base in County . (g) The Tax Abatement Properties are not located in a tax increment financing district. (h) In any year, the total amount of property taxes abated by the County by this and other resolutions and agreements, does not exceed the greater of ten percent (10%) of the net tax capacity of the County for the taxes payable year to which the abatement applies or $200,000, whichever is greater. The County may grant other abatements permitted under the Abatement Law after the date of this resolution, provided that to the extent the total abatements in any year exc d the Abatement Limit Page 4 of 17 f 9a!J~~N!~~~ .... Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 the allocation of the Abatement limit to such other abatements is subordinate to the Abatement granted by this resolution . NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Abatement is hereby approved. The terms of the Abatement are as follows: (i) The Abatement shall be for up to five (5) years anticipated to commence for taxes payable 2028 and shall not exceed $5,000. The County reserves the right to modify the commencement date, but the abatement period shall not exceed five (5) years. U) The County shall provide the Abatement as specified in this resolution. (k) The Abatement shall be subject to all the terms and limitations of the Abatement Law. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the Board hereby approves the Tax Abatement Ag reements for payment of the Abatement in substantially the form submitted and the Chair and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute the Tax Abatement Agreements on behalf of the County. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Johnson, duly seconded by Commissioner Sullivan and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon, passed unanimously. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 29th day of September 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: October 13 , 2026 By: ------+-,!(ZJ_~; ...,6~n ~rL~'~'"'"""'------- Robert Lahman, Board of Commissioners Chair Attest: ~&~i' _t'_fJo_fv_L-l_evvz-,,; _____ _ Nicole Hansen, Clerk RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-70 BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Otter Tail County, Minnesota (the "County"), as follows: 1. Recitals. (a) The County proposes to approve tax abatements in connection with the construction of single family homes (the "Projects"), The County proposes to use the tax abatements for the Projects provided for in Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.1812 through 469.1815 (the "Abatement Law"), from the property taxes to be levied by the County on Parcel Identification Numbers 35000210188013, 74000990807000, 82000990250000, 82000990243000 (the "Tax Abatement Properties"). (b) The County proposes to approve tax abatements on a portion of the County's share of property taxes on the Tax Abatement Property in the amount of $10,000 for a term of up to five (5) years to finance a portion of the costs of the Project. (c) The tax abatement is authorized under the Abatement Law. 2. Findings for the Tax Abatement. The Board hereby makes the following findings· Page 5 of 17 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 (d) The tax abatement is the County's share of real estate taxes which relate to the Projects being constructed on the Tax Abatement Property and not the real estate taxes that relate to the value of the land (the "Abatement"). (e) The Board expects the benefits to the County of the Abatement to be at least equal or exceed the costs to the County thereof. (f) Granting the Abatement is in the public interest because it will increase the tax base in County. (g) The Tax Abatement Property are not located in a tax increment financing district. (h) In any year, the total amount of property taxes abated by the County by this and other resolutions and agreements, does not exceed the greater of ten percent (10%) of the net tax capacity of the County for the taxes payable year to which the abatement applies or $200,000, whichever is greater. The County may grant other abatements permitted under the Abatement Law after the date of this resolution , provided that to the extent the total abatements in any year exceed the Abatement Limit the allocation of the Abatement limit to such other abatements is subordinate to the Abatement granted by this resolution. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Abatement is hereby approved. The terms of the Abatement are as follows: (i) The Abatement shall be for up to five (5) years anticipated to commence for taxes payable 2026 and shall not exceed $10,000. The County reserves the right to modify the commencement date, but the abatement period shall not exceed five (5) years. 0) The County shall provide the Abatement as specified in this resolution . (k) The Abatement shall be subject to all the terms and limitations of the Abatement Law. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the Board hereby approves the Tax Abatement Agreements for payment of the Abatement in substantially the form submitted and the Chair and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute the Tax Abatement Agreements on behalf of the County. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Johnson, duly seconded by Commissioner Mortenson and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon, passed unanimously. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 29th day of September 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: October 13, 2026 By: _ _..,_.'-'""'".,____,.=--::.;.+---,,-o::;-,t'=-.:;z.,c.='~..c....,,_~_~-'--------Attest: -~-/_, {Jo_k,,.__;;____.c.jj_(;v),---'--,,£JL-___ _ n ,t-Board of Commissioners Chair Nicole Hansen, Clerk Page 6 of 17 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 OCTOBER IS MANUFACTURING MONTH 2026 PROCLAMATION OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-71 WHEREAS, the manufacturing industry is a critically important part of Minnesota's and Otter Tail County's diverse economy; and WHEREAS, manufacturing contributed $60.9 billion to Minnesota's economy in 2025, representing 11% of the state's gross domestic product; and WHEREAS, workers took home $248 .9 million in wages from Otter Tail County manufacturing jobs in 2025, the largest total payroll among private sector industries; and WHEREAS, manufacturing in Otter Tail County pays an average annual wage of $65,052, which is 22% higher than the state's overall average private sector wage; and WHEREAS, manufacturing provides more than 3,800 highly skilled, well-paying jobs, which significantly contribute to Otter Tail County's high standard of living and economic vitality; and WHEREAS, there are roughly 87 manufacturing companies in Otter Tail County, making a wide range of products that improve life, create solutions and bring joy here in Minnesota and around the world. NOW THEREFORE, the Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim the month of October 2026 shall be observed as: MANUFACTURING MONTH in Otter Tail County. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Mortenson, duly seconded by Commissioner Johnson and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon, passed unanimously. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 29th day of September 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS By:_//.--+-"'---+. f) ti~, ~jL""--"-'---'<-2-rC - R~~of Commissioners Chair Dated: October 13, 2026 Attest: & / W0JJ.l, ~ Nicole Hansen, Clerk RECESS & RECONVENE At 9:56 a.m., Chair Lahman declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners recessed for a short break. The Board of Commissioners meeting was reconvened at 10:02 a.m. 2026 MICA BRIEFING Executive Director Nathan Jesson, Transportation Liaison Amber Backhau, Corrections & Public Safety Liaison Emilio Lamba , and Environment Liaison John-Paul Yates, all with Minnesota Inter-County Association (MICA), provided a 2026 Post-Session Briefing for the Board. They provided a recap of the 2026 legislative session and county impacts, covered key county priorities, presented on end-of-session budget data and provided an outlook for 2027. Page 7 of 17 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 ACQUISITION OF TAX FORFEITED LAND (PHEASANTS FOREVER) OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-72 WHEREAS, on the 22nd day of August, 1950, the following described property forfeited to the State of Minnesota, for non-payment of taxes; and Parcel No. 07-000-22-0146-000 SE1/4 of SE1/4 Section 22 Township 137 Range 37 WHEREAS, Pheasants Forever, Inc. has submitted a letter of intent to purchase the above described property. PF will eventually transfer the property to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) who would be responsible for the long-term management of the land. This addition to the Waterfowl Production Area would be managed out of the Fergus Falls Wetland Management District Office. The property would be managed for habitat protection, game production, and public recreation; and WHEREAS, Pheasants Forever has requested that the Otter Tail County Board sell the above described Tax Forfeit Property for $32,000.00 which is the fair market value of the land as determined by a professional certified appraiser. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners does hereby approve the sale of the above-described tax -forfeited parcel to Pheasants Forever $32,000.00. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Sullivan, duly seconded by Commissioner Mortenson and , after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon, passed unanimously. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 29th day of September 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: October 13, 2026 Attest: Jvi 4.JI.Jfw,~ By: ~u?:J.~-~4Q~i~~~-~'----- Robert Lah~an, Board of Commissioners Chair Nicole Hansen, Clerk CANVASSING BOARD APPOINTMENTS Motion by Johnson, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to appoint Commissioners Sean Sullivan and Dan Bucholz to the 2026 General Election County Canvassing Board which will meet on November 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Government Services Center. ADOPTION OF PROPOSED BUDGET AND LEVY OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-73 Payable 2027 Payable 2026 oss o ty? ~~ .r· evy (I on Deb )• .873.34 Page 8 of 17 Percent I;..• Pine La•.es ,rile t,1cConald. ,erbs Pa I 619 11 cCona!d Sou T -Je .xal'G~· RECAP· Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 ::ol ,;·.; ... 2~_,;ii \ 1a: _: 969 15 1 2 cc ·5 __ i:: 2s.:,) 9.,;.:,: 513.~74, 123 C:-44.-:i • .6 0,43 • __ 2:4.i"c, -0.33' .. -2.83°. .00~~ 0 0 -~ • "2.::9° • County Only (Excludes. library. lake lmp,ove~nt Districts. CDA and HRA • .:i os.s .l L C u,ty Prog 11 ,;: Tax Le County OnJy (Includes libr.iry►• , oss ax Levy (Tot:x) Co..nty Prog a, A• Nel h x Levy ( ot. ) County. Library, lake Improvement Districts. CDA and HRA • ross ax Levy ( ot C wnty P ogr:in Ai Nei . L<:vy { otal) e .. Q28 ,U 2.dii.E.iA .S.11 5:-2 c·. ·2.s;._ :.8ii'.Si4 1:-1.179.e,: 3 ... 877.87~ WHEREAS, on or before September 30, 2026 Otter Tail County may adopt a Proposed Budget for Fiscal/Calendar Year 2027 and must adopt and certify a proposed net property tax levy for Payable Year 2027;and WHEREAS, the Otter Tail County Auditor-Treasurer's office has accumulated the Departmental and outside agency requests; and Page 9 of 17 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 WHEREAS, the Otter Tail County Finance, Property & License Management Committee has met to discuss and review in general terms levy and budgetary guidelines, as well as the proposed department budgets and various agency requests; and WHEREAS, the Otter Tail County Finance, Property & License Management Committee will complete additional review and discussion, as needed and required, of the 2027 proposed tax levy and budget prior to final adoption on December 15, 2026. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners of Otter Tail County, Minnesota, that The amount of $64 ,179,683 be adopted as Otter Tail County's Proposed Gross Property Tax Levy for the Payable Year 2027 representing a 4.25% increase from the Gross Property Tax Levy for the Payable Year 2026, and that the amount of $61,301,809 be adopted as Otter Tail County's Proposed Net Property Tax Levy for the Payable Year 2027 representing a 4.56% increase over the Net Property Tax Levy for the Payable Year 2026; and that The amount of $282,575 be adopted by Otter Tail County as the Proposed Lake Improvement District Property Tax Levies for the Payable Year 2027, representing a 6.92% decrease from the Lake Improvement District Property Tax Levies as adopted by Otter Tail County for the Payable Year 2026; and that The amount of $1,610,431 be adopted by Otter Tail County as the Proposed Otter Tail County HRA Special District Property Tax Levy for the Payable Year 2027, representing a 0.00% increase from the Property Tax Levy as adopted by Otter Tail County for the Payable Year 2026; and that The amount of $644,287 be adopted by Otter Tail County as the Pay 2027 Proposed Otter Tail County CDA levy as authorized under the housing and redevelopment authority statutes representing a 0.00% increase from the Property Tax Levy as adopted by Otter Tail County for the Payable Year 2026. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the amount of $140,000,000 (includes inter-fund transfers) be adopted as Otter Tail County's Proposed Budget for the General Fund, for the Budgeted Special Revenue Funds and for the Budgeted Debt Service Funds for the Fiscal/Calendar Year 2027 (Expenditures/transfers/Other Uses). The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Johnson, duly seconded by Commissioner Lahman and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon, passed unanimously. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 29th day of September 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: October 13, 2026 By al~ Robert Lahman, Board of Commissioners Chair Attest: J ( 00 l<..,,l/-,w, ,O- Nicole Hansen, Clerk Page 10 of 17 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED BUDGET AND LEVY Motion by Mortenson, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to set the Proposed Levy and Budget Truth in Taxation Public Hearing for 6:00 p.m . on Tuesday, December 1, 2026 in the Otter Tail Lake Room at the Government Services Center (GSC) in Fergus Falls, MN. RESOLUTION SEEKING STATE OF MINNESOTA REVENUE SHARING FUND TO SUSTAIN DEPUTY REGISTRAR OFFICES OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-74 WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota has a responsive and well-established network of locally operated deputy registrars acting as independent agents for the benefit of our citizens and the State, who are appointed and regulated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety; and WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota in 1949 established a filing fee on motor vehicle-related transactions to be retained by the deputy registrar office as their only income to pay for all their associated costs in providing this vital local service on the State's behalf; and WHEREAS, increasing costs borne by any office include but are not limited to basic inflation, salaries, training, insurance, rent, security, bank fees, utilities, furnishings, phones, computers, IT infrastructure, scanners, copiers, paper and toner cartridges, postage; and WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety has transferred 40% of their data entry work onto deputy registrars without due compensation for these additional time-consuming tasks; and WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety has aggressively marketed their exclusive online and mail-in service options to the public which also captures any filing fee in direct competition with deputy registrar offices who depend upon that revenue for their own local sustainability; and WHEREAS, increased costs to provide local services, exacerbated by competition and expanded new duties both caused by the State, now routinely outpace the filing fee income realized by any deputy registrar office and causing 6 permanent local office closures statewide since 2021; and WHEREAS, annual shortages incurred by public deputy offices are now consistently being subsidized by their local governments to remain open, while private deputy offices without this ability are forced to seek alternative lines of credit elsewhere to remain operational; and WHEREAS, a 2022 State commissioned independent expert review (King report) specifically calls on the State to share 25-50% of all filing fee revenue derived from the Department's on line and mail-in transactions with all local deputy registrar offices, and a subsequent State commissioned study from 2024 (Barry-Dunn report) also reinforced the overall need to develop a more sustainable revenue model for deputy registrars to remain operational. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Otter Tail County requests that the 2027 State Legislature recognize the critical need to sustain deputy registrar offices and to enact a permanent state revenue sharing fund for deputy registrars, sourced with 50% of the existing filing fee revenue captured by the Department of Public Safety from their online and mail-in transactions to be disbursed quarterly among all deputy offices in Minnesota. Page 11 of 17 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Sullivan seconded by Commissioner Johnson and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon, passed unanimously. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 29th day of September 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: October 13, 2026 By:_{2~,j~~: --=--------v---~~' -Attest: ~ • /)o{JICv,/j)J Robert Lahman, Board of Commissioners Chair Nicole Hansen, Clerk LETTER OF SUPPORT Motion by Johnson, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures on a letter of support for the Minnesota Department of Transportation's (MnDOT) application for the FY24-26 PROTECT Grant to support the 1-94 Snow Fence Corridor Completion Project. LOCAL BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM GRANT AGREEMENT GRANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS -SP NO. 056-598-003 OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-75 WHEREAS, Otter Tail County has applied to the Commissioner of Transportation for a grant from the Minnesota State Transportation Fund related to Bridge No. 56551; and WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Transportation has given notice that funding for this project is available; and WHEREAS, the amount of the grant has been determined to be $271,739.11 by reason of the lowest responsible bid. NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that Otter Tail County does hereby agree to the terms and conditions of the grant consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 174.50, and will pay any additional amount by which the cost exceeds the estimate and will return to the Minnesota State Transportation Fund any amount appropriated for the project but not required. The proper County officers are authorized to execute a grant agreement and any amendments thereto with the Commissioner of Transportation concerning the above-referenced grant. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Johnson, duly seconded by Commissioner Bucholz and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon, passed unanimously. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 29th day of September 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS sv !ZJ;--rLrl ~ Robert Lahm; oard of Commissioners Chair Page 12 of 17 Dated: October 13, 2026 Attest: J,, Cv lv.Lf-w,~ Nicole Hansen, Clerk Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 AWARD RECOMMENDATION & CONTRACTS AND BONDS Motion by Bucholz, second by Lahman and unanimously carried to award CP 4014-060 CSAH 60 Culvert Lining to CC Steel, LLC of Fargo, ND in the low bid of $262,275.00, and to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures to execute the contract between Otter Tail County and CC Steel, LLC for CP 4014-060 CSAH 60 Culvert Lining. ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT Motion by Mortenson, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures to execute an engineering services agreement between Otter Tail County and Houston Engineering Inc., at a cost of $298,652.00, for design services for the Cabbage Hill Segment of the Glacial Edge Trail. Parks & Trails Director Kevin Fellbaum plans to work with the Highway Department on cost saving measures for this project. FINAL PAYMENT TO TRAUT COMPANIES Motion by Johnson, second by Bucholz and unanimously carried to authorize final payment, in the amount of $87,959.50, to Traut Companies for the construction and installation of the Henning Transfer Station fire suppression system, as presented by Solid Waste Director Chris McConn. NEOT CAP GRANT PROJECT COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Motion by Johnson, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to appoint the following individuals to the Northeast Otter Tail (NEOT) Transfer Station and Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority (PLMSWA) Ash Processing and Storage and Transfer Station Project Committee: Name Representing Position Sean Sullivan Otter Tail and PLMSWA Commissioner /Boa rd Dan Bucholz Otter Tail and PLMSWA Commissioner /Boa rd Liz Mickelson Otter Tail County Deputy County Administrator Phil Hansen Becker and PLMSWA Commi,ssioner /Boa rd Corey Bang Clay County Solid Waste Director Mike Eberle Todd County Solid Waste Supervisor Anthony Maule Wadena County Highway Engineer Brian Schmidt PLMSWA Plant Manager Jeff Haugen Otter Tail County Landfill Manager Chris Mcconn Otter Tail and PLMSWA Director WALKING FLOOR TRAILER Motion by Bucholz, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to authorize the Solid Waste Department to purchase a walking floor trailer from North American Trailers, in the quoted amount of $146,133.00, as well as use remaining MPCA single sort recycling grant dollars to go toward the purchase, as described by Assistant Solid Waste Director Scott Bjerke. MPCA GRANT APPLICATION Motion by Johnson, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to authorize the Solid Waste Department to apply for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Greater Minnesota Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, and Composting Grant as well as authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures on a resolution from the MPCA authorizing the grant agreement with Otter Tail County Solid Waste. Page 13 of 17 ~f 9c,JJ,E~N!~J~ Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 RECESS & RECONVENE At 11 :23 a.m., Chair Lahman declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners recessed for a short break. The Board of Commissioners meeting was reconvened at 11 :32 a.m. MINNESOTA DATA PRACTICES ACT GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES Motion by Sullivan, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to adopt an updated Minnesota Government Data Practices Act Guidelines and Procedures Policy as presented by County Administrator Nicole Hansen. ADJOURNMENT At 11 :34 a.m., Chair Lahman declared the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting adjourned. The next regular Board meeting is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls and via livestream. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: October 13, 2026 By ~~ Robert Lahma!Board ofCommissioners Chair Attest 1 &/.; )j_WJQ<:::'_ --~~~-~~------ Nicole Hansen, Clerk Page 14 of 17 Page 15 of 17 Vendor Narne ASSOCIATIO 'OF M COUNTIES BER 'STET ER/SARAH BERTS RUCK EOUIPME OF MHD I C BUY-MOR PARTS & SERVICE LLC CE TRAL SPECIAL TIES I C CODE 4 SE VICES INC COLE PAPE S INC COLUM SOFTWARE PBC CORE PROFESSIO AL SERVICES PA A IJELSO il.1ATTHEW OM .co P 'JES EHLERS & ASSOCIATES INC Elli 1GSON PLU BING HEATING AC ELE• EZ OPE GARAGE DOOR FERGUS POliVER PU IP I C FERGUS TIRE CENTER INC FERGUSO ASPHA.L PAV! 1G INC FIDL.A.q TEC OLOGIES INC FLINT HILLS RESOURCES LP FOTH I FRASTRUCTURE & ENVIRONMEf\ GIRAR 'S B SINESS SOLUTtO S I C HA 1SON/8R.A.NDIE HAWES SEPTIC TANK PW, PING LLC HILLYARD I C HOUSTO · E GI EERI G INC BROTHERS MEC' ANICAL PLUS LLC AKE'S OHNS LLC ONES L.A OFFICE KADEHJL N/LEO J LA.KE REGION HEALTHCARE LARKIN HOFFr AN PUBLIC AFF.AIRS I C LEAF RIVER AG SERVICE LETAC MCIT MINNESOTA MOTOR COMPANY MINNKOTA ENVIRO SERVICES INC NELSON AUTO CE TER I C NELSON/CHAD NEUMO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC NORTHLAND ARE SERVICES OFFICE OF MNIT SERVICES OTTER TAIL CO PUBLIC HEAL TH Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29 , 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 700.00 367)¾ 6.79450 107.31 4. 9-5.38 53S.02 6 .10 244.21 H ,00.00 97. - 55,610.00 19-5 00 16.485.00 7.00 2,10 .00 4.229.88 5.174.40 4,273.98 3.156.00 25S .40 170.00 177.41 2.91 .50 7.337 70 310.00 470.00 1. 00.00 1.572.50 5.000.00 7.718.00 399.00 124 .00 93.91 32. 0 131 .21510 7.23 8.0fa17 1.850.00 8.823.69 184.00 Page 16 of 17 Vendor Name PARKERS PRA.IRIE I DEPE DE T LLC/H PARKERS PRA.IRIE/CI OF PRAIRIE LA. ES r U ICIPAL SOLID /</ASTE PRECISE f RM LLC OUADIE T Fl A 'CE USA I C REGE S OF E UNIVERSl1Y OF tv N ST ANTEC CONSUL Tl 'G SERVICES I C STAPLES BUSINESS CREDIT SUPER SEPTIC l C THU v1PER PO D RESORT US POST. L SERVICE ARITECH I DUSTRIES I 'C ZIEGLER INC Final Total: Ve ndor Name AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES INC Final Total: Vendor Name CLARK/LI DSEY CO TROL SOLUTIONS INC FRUS OUA E FRUSTOUEMIL Y MINNKOTA ENVIRO SERVICES INC OEHLER/KAREN SANOFIPASTEURINC SA YLERJDAVID SOLAND/MIRANDA VAN SA TEN/DA A ESTBY/LINOA Final Total: Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 61 .88 20.000.00 14.00 2,440.00 512.30 1.263.67 650.00 23.717.7':. 154 61 338.00 590.00 30.000.00 1,710.30 901.49 367.250.84 Amount 10,110.12 10 ,110.12 Amount 109.32 267.51 9.12 149.77 44 .40 18 .20 3,218 .77 75 .00 75.00 33 .74 12 .92 4,013.75 Page 17 of 17 Vendor N;:i me .A. DERSO 11 ,1EGAN BEEBOUTIL"'NA A CO LE/ "1ELA IE A, UMELISSA .A. !AGNOSTICS CE 1TER INC FERGUS TIRE CENTER INC 'JLOEK/' SHLEY LA.KELA D A TO REPAI R LC fv I \~'EST MONITOR! 1G & SURVEILA.NC E IN KOTA ENVIRO SERVICES I C DEPT OF CHILDREN YOUTH & FAMILII r, N DEP OF HUMA.N SER ICES NE SON AUTO CE TER I C NIEMA 1N/KEVI OTTER TAIL CO PUBLIC HEAL TH OTTER TAI L COS, ERIFF OTTER TAI L CO TR EASURER PENKE VALDES YN E POS ,ASTER PREMIER BIOTECH INC PREMI ER BIOTECH LABS LLC QUALITY TOYOTA SCHm. MER! v1IC El ' ENZEUERIC·· VEST CE TRAL REG JUVENILE CTR Final Total: Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 90 .48 45.00 80.79 20.00 126.00 27.00 17.60 25. 0 1.365 . 0 205.20 3.079.00 3.207 .82 4,834 .10 55.88 125. 0 150.00 12,580.80 308 .92 100.00 6.405.00 1.25-'3.60 72 .72 17.07 20.00 11 ,617. 0 45.833.98 , ........ OTTERTAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 OTTER TAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MINUTES Government Services Center, Commissioners' Room & Via Livestream 515 West Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN September 29, 2026 I 11 :50 a.m. CALL TO ORDER The Otter Tail County Drainage Authority convened at 11 :50 a.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN. Commissioners Robert Lahman, Chair; Dan Bucholz, Vice Chair; Kurt Mortenson, Wayne Johnson, and Sean Sullivan were present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA & CONSENT AGENDA Chair Lahman called for joint approval of the Drainage Authority Agenda and Consent Agenda. Motion by Mortenson, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to approve the Drainage Authority Agenda and the Consent Agenda of September 29, 2026 as follows: 1. September 8, 2026, Drainage Authority Meeting Minutes 2. Warrants/Bills for September 29, 2026 (Exhibit A) APPOINTMENT OF VIEWERS TO COUNTY DRAINAGE SYSTEM NO. 49 OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-76 WHEREAS, Otter Tail County Drainage Authority held an Abandonment Hearing for County Drainage System No . 49 on September 14th, 2026 at the Henning Community Center as required by Mn State Statute 103E.811 Subd. 5 (a); and WHEREAS, objections to the abandonment heard from benefitted landowner's parcel(s) 34000050035001, 34000040028000,34000040029001 , 34000050033002, 34000080057001, 34000030021002, 34000040027000,34000030021001;and WHEREAS, the Drainage Authority shall appoint three disinterested persons as viewers to examine the property opposing the abandonment of the drainage system per MN State Statute 103e.811 Subd. 5 (b). NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Otter Tail County Drainage Authority appoint Jeff Weibe, Dennis Tigges, and Gary Denbrook to examine benefitted landowner's parcels who have objected to the abandonment. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Bucholz, duly seconded by Commissioner Johnson and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon , passed on a roll call vote as follows: Page 1 of 3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dan Bucholz Wayne Johnson Kurt Mortenson Robert Lahman Sean Sullivan YEA NAY X X X X X Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29 , 2026 ABSENT ABSTAIN Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 29th day of September 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated : October 13, 2026 By:----,-,.<-/Zc~l ~4 ~~~..........,.___--~- Robert Lahma~Board of Commissioners Chair Attest: _U_i _t'_&J_lc,_lJ_/J/l~4~~--- Nicole Hansen, Clerk DITCH 20 -DEBRIS Motion by Johnson, second by Bucholz and unanimously carried to approve the removal of a debris obstruction in County Ditch 20 along the north side of County Highway 14, as recommended by Drainage Inspector Tyler Armstrong. DITCH 41 -BEAVER DAM & CULVERT Motion by Johnson, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to approve beaver trapping and dam removal from a culvert on County Ditch 41 , located at 4 7669 County Highway 14 in Richville, as recommended by Drainage Inspector Tyler Armstrong. DITCH 55-CULVERT REPLACEMENT UPDATE Drainage Inspector Tyler Armstrong provided the Board an update on a plugged and partially collapsed culvert in County Ditch 55 at the 300th Avenue Crossing in Star Lake Township. Repair was approved in 2024 and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) permits for the repair have been acquired. The cost of an 18"x40' culvert is $774.50 and the estimated labor cost from Northland Area Services is $5,880.00. ADJOURNMENT At 11 :59 a.m., Chair Lahman declared the Otter Tail County Drainage Authority meeting adjourned. The next Drainage Authority meeting will immediately follow the next regular Board meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls and via livestream. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Una£ By !ii~,,~~ Robert Lahman, Board of Commissioners Chair Page 2 of 3 Dated: October 13, 2026 Attest: 3 I , lo le, 1f lj/)~ Nicole Hansen, Clerk Page 3 of 3 Vendor Name BOV AN'S GRADI G & GRAVELING CITIZE 'S ADVOC..., TE NELSON/Ml E NEVV YORK MILLS DISPATC ' TRUENORTH STEEL I C Final Total: Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes September 29, 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 1,070.00 159.00 1.600.00 159.00 23.3.40 3.226.40