OTC updated on Prairie Lakes Community Health Board

Contributed photo
Todd Finkelson, center, is pictured with the Otter Tail Board of Commissioners upon receiving a commendation for life-saving efforts while on the job as a County Assessor last October. L-R: Kurt Mortenson, District 3 Commissioner (Vice Chair), Sean Sullivan, District 5 Commissioner, Vice Chair Dan Bucholz, District 1 Commissioner, Finkelson, Wayne D. Johnson, District 2 Commissioner and Chairman Robert Lahman, District 4 Commissioner.

By Robert Williams

Editor

Todd Finkelson, of Ashby, was commended for his outstanding actions on October 24, 2025 by the County Assessor Heather Jacobson, Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons, and the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, Jan. 13.

On October 24, 2025, while working in the field, Finkelson, an Otter Tail County Appraiser, stopped at a rural property in Otter Tail County and engaged in a lengthy conversation with the property owner. 

During this conversation, the owner made alarming statements about self-harm with a firearm. Finkelson’s response to this situation was nothing short of extraordinary. He took the time to talk with the individual, offering support and understanding. Finkelson then informed the owner that he was calling for help and staged at the end of the driveway. Finkelson contacted law enforcement for assistance. 

His actions not only de-escalated a potentially tragic situation but also saved the life of a person in crisis. A few weeks later, the individual called Finkelson to express his gratitude for saving his life and told him how well he was currently doing.

County Admin

Dues of $2,000 were approved for Otter Tail County to join the Northern Counties Coalition Board as a full member after participating in board activities in 2025. According to Commissioner Steve Sullivan, not all of the issues with the board are relevant to Otter Tail County, but 2026 will be used to see how the county can add value to the board and how it can be a resource to the county.

Donations

A donation of $500 from Otter Trail Riders Snowmobile Club to the Sheriff’s Office was approved.

Health Board

Public Health Director Jody Lien presented the data practices and records management agreement between the counties of Otter Tail and Wilkin, collectively known as the Prairie Lakes Community Health Board.

The counties are working collaboratively to implement a regional Public Health Services sharing model via the Prairie Lakes Community Health Board (PLCHB).

The purpose of the collaborative efforts is to provide a structure for the counties to collectively share general program information, discuss best practices for public health services, and to provide general direction for the Counties on their goal of collectively improving the lives of constituents in the region.

“Staff did a great job and a lot of work delineating out what the responsibilities are because there were responsibilities with our other health board but they were never really written down,” said Commissioner Wayne D. Johnson. “It was kind of just shared understanding…and I think it’s going to be helpful going forward.”

The agreement replaces the former health board agreements between Otter Tail County and PartnerSHIP 4 Health, a collaboration of community and public health partners in Becker, Clay, Otter Tail and Wilkin counties.

Human Resources

The board approved a reclassification of a Community Services Specialist position to Fraud Support and Collections Specialist. For several months, the office manager took on the duties of the collections officer. All duties of the collections officer are now handled by the fraud support and collections specialist. The alternative would be to hire a part-time or full-time collections officer.

“For the public, it is important with this topic just to make sure they understand with these positions our officers had a position specific to fraud for a lot of years,” said County Attorney Michelle Eldien. “We’re one of the only ones in the state that actually have it in the county attorney’s office. Most have it in Human Services. That’s been our model and it has worked well.”

Probation

The board approved a short-term, intergovernmental agreement between Otter Tail County and Todd-Wadena community corrections. Probation Director Michael Schommer will provide 16 hours per week of contract services for the remainder of 2026.

“It’s responding to a need of a neighboring county after some careful analysis of capacity within,” said Commissioner Kurt Mortenson. “The capability is there without compromising services to Otter Tail County.”

Todd-Wadena Community Corrections has a Community Corrections Director vacancy and desires to contract with Otter Tail County to fulfill the statutory functions of a Community Corrections Director.

The Otter Tail County Probation Director shall serve Todd-Wadena Community Corrections 16 hours per week, with in-person presence in Todd and/or Wadena Counties at least one day per week.

The Otter Tail County Probation Director shall seek approval of the Todd-Wadena Community Corrections Board prior to entering into contracts on behalf of Todd-Wadena Community Corrections.

The Otter Tail County Probation Director may represent both Otter Tail County and Todd-Wadena Community Corrections with regards to membership and participation in MACCAC and other Community Corrections-specific policy work groups, committees, task forces, or other assignments made.