By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Recycling and solid waste management were among the topics addressed Monday evening, Sept. 16, during an open house with county commissioners at the County Government Services Center in Fergus Falls.

“Public engagement plays a central role in the protection of Otter Tail County’s natural resources,” said County Solid Waste Director Chris McConn who reviewed Otter Tail County’s existing solid waste management system.

Over the years county resident input, similar to what took place Sept. 16, helps determine what policies and technologies can be implemented to improve recycling, solid waste management and waste diversion from landfills.

County commissioners, with the support of many county residents who have already provided input for the Solid Waste Master Plan, are committed to a path toward zero landfilling, supporting waste-to-energy, providing quality and equitable solid waste services and adhering to fiscally responsible investments. 

“Counties have been given solid waste decision-making from the state of Minnesota,” said McConn to attendees at the Government Services Center.  “We in the county Solid Waste Department have high standards but do not want to be unreasonable in pursuit of goals. We want to be fair minded.”

Otter Tail County, in recent years, has improved the proper management of waste, enhanced recycling and improved the processing and sorting of waste and recyclables. McConn noted many benefits with waste to energy with the burning process at the county facility in Perham.

Ownership of the refuse burner in Perham includes Otter Tail, Becker, Todd, Wadena and Clay counties. The facility is operated by the Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority (PLMSWA).

Opposition to carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline

Two county residents, addressing county commissioners at the Sept. 16 open house, expressed opposition to plans calling for transporting captured carbon dioxide (CO2) by pipeline from the Green Plains Ethanol Plant northwest of Fergus Falls to a location south of Breckenridge.

They were among others at the gathering expressing concerns about the safety of the proposed pipeline. If approved by state regulators, carbon dioxide would be piped to north central North Dakota for sequestering and safe storage.

Even if all goes according to plan, the pipeline completion from Fergus Falls to Breckenridge would likely not take place until after the spring of 2025.

Monitors are used in other areas of the United States with instrumentation located at capture facilities, valve sites, pump stations and sequestration sites. Area farmers are being assured that there will only be voluntary easements, with no eminent domain. Also, there would be lifetime warranties on tile repairs on individual farm sites when needs arise. 

Land restoration is also assured as a continuing obligation of Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions.

Leonard addresses economic development

Deputy County Administrator Nick Leonard addressed county economic development efforts at the county board open house. County government works closely with the Lakes Country Association which includes members of the hospitality industry (resorts, restaurants and others), other county businesses, real estate agencies and other entities.

“We work to enhance what we call On the Map strategies,” said Leonard, “promoting Otter Tail County as not only a great destination to visit but also as a county that is a great place in which to live and work.”

County employees also work with a Community Development Agency (CDA) to strengthen the communities of Otter Tail County by expanding affordable housing opportunities, promoting economic development and fostering coordination of public and private resources.

Examples of public-private partnerships, said Leonard, are a community day care center in Battle Lake and a community grocery store in Vergas.

“Helping to address workforce needs throughout Otter Tail County is a big priority for us in county government,” Leonard said. “We work throughout the county to have welcoming strategies. To that end, Vergas is an example of a town which still provides welcome baskets to new residents.”

Other assistance to the county with economic development comes in the from of finances and advisory expertise from the Fergus Falls-based West Central Initiative, a regional development organization.

Attendees hear about county roadways

Residents of Otter Tail County attending the open house Sept. 16 at the Government Services Center heard from County Highway Engineer Krysten Foster that the county is responsible for 1,067 miles of highway.

“Grants from the state and federal government define individual projects,” she said. “We annually seek input from county residents at open houses held throughout the county.”

She addressed current roadway projects, among them Highway 35 in the Dent-Vergas area, Highway 52 east of Ottertail city and north of Henning and Highway 75 in the far eastern section of Otter Tail County near Wadena.

Roadway funding largely comes from county property taxes and the state and federal governments. Otter Tail County, since 2016, has also administered a half-cent sales tax. Money from this tax is also used for road and bridge maintenance. 

Taking effect in 2016 was a county charge of $10 added to vehicle license tab renewals, later increased to $20 per vehicle in 2018. This money also goes to road and bridge maintenance.