Solid waste point fee up $1

By Robert Williams

Editor

Otter Tail County has announced that County Commissioner Wayne Johnson (District 2) has been awarded the William Koniarski Transportation Advocate Award for 2024. This award, presented by the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, honors those who demonstrate exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure.

“We are honored to see Commissioner Johnson’s hard work recognized through this award,” said Otter Tail County Highway Engineer Krysten Foster. “His commitment to advancing our transportation infrastructure has created lasting positive impacts that will benefit our residents for years to come.”

Margaret Donahoe, Executive Director of the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, described the award as follows: “This award is presented periodically to an individual or unit of government from the public sector who has shown outstanding leadership and commitment to improving Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure. Bill Koniarski served as a Scott County Commissioner for many years and was always a leading advocate for transportation investments in Scott County and beyond.”

Rick West, a former Otter Tail County Public Works director, presented Johnson with the award and said, “Commissioner Johnson’s contributions to transportation in Otter Tail County have consistently demonstrated his vision for safe, accessible and fiscally responsible infrastructure.”

“I am humbled, honored and very grateful for this award,” said Johnson as he thanked those who mentored and supported him in his advocacy. “Transportation is important and I have been empowered and encouraged to advocate for transportation in Otter Tail County and the State. Thank you for this award.” 

Sheriff

County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons submitted a renewal of a Joint Powers Agreement with the State of Minnesota and a resolution to work together to investigate and prosecute crimes committed against children and the criminal exploitation of children that is committed and/or facilitated by or through the use of computers, and to disrupt and dismantle organizations engaging in these activities. Both were approved unanimously.

“It’s very advantageous for the people of Otter Tail County and our office,” Fitzgibbons said. “We receive additional equipment and training and we’ve got a person designated on that task force and specializes in that field. It’s very important.”

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Agents and partnerships with counties work on a national scale through this agreement to combat these crimes.

Solid Waste

Solid Waste Director Chris McConn and Assistant Director Scott Bjerke presented the department’s recommendation to increase its Solid Waste Parcel fee from $16/point to $17/point. This would result in the per household annual cost to increase from $80 to $85. 

A public hearing was held on Tuesday, Nov. 19 on the proposed change.

The 2025 Budget is based on the increase and includes $2.4 million/year average capital improvement costs over the next five years. 

Projects include equipment replacement, landfill closures, and facility buildings at multiple locations.

Also covered are increased costs of operation including labor and environmental regulations.

An increase from $16 to $17 for point will result in approximately $260,000 in revenue generation per year.

A solid waste point fee refers to a charge levied based on the amount of solid waste a person or business generates, typically calculated by weight (in tons) or volume (cubic yards) at a designated disposal facility.

The duo also presented a history of the fee schedule ranging from $7.50/point from 1994-99 to an increase to $11/point in 2017-18 and $14/point from 2019-22. 

A Walking Trailer purchase was approved for the new Henning Transfer station.

The Solid Waste Department is planning to start construction of a new transfer station building at its Henning facility in 2025. The county received a grant ($250,000) from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to purchase and install a compactor and compactor compatible walking floor trailer. 

A purchase agreement has been prepared and signed for 10 acres of land adjacent to the Northeast Otter Tail landfill between NY Mills and Perham for $120,000.

The Solid Waste Department manages ash generated by the Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority (PLMSWA). PLMSWA desires to recycle its ash in lieu of landfilling. On October 8, the Board of Commissioners authorized County representatives to negotiate with owners of desirable property for ash recycling; and sign a purchase agreement, contingent on final board approval. 

Commissioner pay

The current annual salary for Otter Tail County Commissioners was raised from $43,960.67 to $45,499.29 effective January 1, reflecting a 3.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment similar to increases received by other employee groups.

The per diem rate for Otter Tail County Commissioners remains at $90.

Battle Lake Nature Trail

Commissioners passed a resolution of support for City of Battle Lake Nature Trail and Main Street Connection grant application for Active Transportation funds.

If a small city or township receives state transportation funds through MnDOT, the county is required to assist with administration of the grant/project.

The responsibilities and commitments of each party will be outlined in more detail through a separate agreement next spring/summer if the city is selected. Grant decisions are expected in April/May 2025.

Highway

County Engineer Krysten Foster presented a year end review of the Highway Department.

2024 Highway Maintenance Highlights

• Light winter conditions enabled more right-of-way clearing than a typical winter and freed budgeted dollars towards summer maintenance needs

• Placed a record amount (tons) of patch mix

• Increased collaboration with County Administration/Facilities

• Advanced a long-range plan for highway maintenance facilities

• Invested in Fleet Maintenance Pro for equipment work orders and eventual preventive maintenance tracking

• Deployed geographic information system (GIS) for noxious and invasive weeds spray mapping and paver patch mapping

• Installed four Frost Solutions winter cameras on a trial basis

• Highway maintenance crews fully staffed as of November 4, 2024 Road & Bridge Construction Summary

• Main Street (CSAH 80) reconstruction

• CSAH 24 reclamation

• First culvert lining contract

• 54 miles of centerline rumble stripes

• 327 miles of high-visibility edgelines

• 103 miles of seal coat

• CSAH 47 intersection improvements

• Cooperative box culvert replacement project with Bluffton Township

2024 County Ditches Program

• Thirteen ditches inspected

• Eight redetermination of benefits completed

• 1.5 miles of brush spraying

• 30 beaver dam removals, 160 trapped, > 20 small dams removed

• > 4 miles of ditch cleaning

• 5,500 feet of tile replacement

• Six culverts

• Three bogs removed

• Five petitions, three appointments, and one consolidation

• Three more redetermination of benefits in-progress

2024 other news

• Broke ground on Perham Garage investment

• Released OTC Engineering Manual (a.k.a. new employee handbook)

• Approximately 40 percent of highway signs inventoried by summer helper

• Kicked off 2050 Transportation Plan

• Developed electronic timekeeping program

• Reassigned approach (a.k.a. driveway) applications to Engineering Unit

• Continued collaboration with Parks & Trails Department

• Reviewed hundreds of permit applications for events on roads, public utility installations, miscellaneous work in highway right-of-way, and oversize loads.

Water Management

Nancy Johnson was reappointed to an additional four-year term, effective January 1, 2025, on the Otter Tail Water Management District’s Board of Commissioners. The volunteer board has seven current members with four additional positions on the board open.

A public hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on January, 28, 2025, for the purpose of considering the expansion of the Otter Tail Water Management District through the addition of the following parcels:

Parcel 02-000-99-0614-002

Parcel 25-000-99-1046-000

Parcel 46-000-99-0178-000

Parcel 46-000-99-1048-000

Parcel 74-000-99-0267-000

Public Information Officer Shannon Terry contributed to this story.