Tax-forfeited land sales approved in OT County
News | Published on February 11, 2025 at 4:09pm GMT+0000 | Author: Tucker Henderson
0Auction to comply with state laws
By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent
County commissioners, following a settlement related to the state’s retention of tax-forfeited lands, will conduct an auction of property in Otter Tail County.
The sale will be for no less than appraised property values, for cash only and must first be offered for 30 days to persons who intend to own/occupy as residents or use for noncommercial personal use.
Seventy-five percent of proceeds of any sale on or before June 30, 2027, and 85 percent of the proceeds of any sale on or after July 1, 2027, and on or before June 30, 2029, will be remitted to the state of Minnesota. The remaining proceeds will be retained by Otter Tail County to be used for any permissible purpose.
County commissioners, by a resolution, will fulfill the requirements of the settlement.
A motion was offered by County Commissioner Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood and seconded by Commissioner Sean Sullivan of Fergus Falls. The motion passed unanimously with yes votes from Mortenson, Sullivan and Commissioners Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids, Dan Bucholz of Perham and Bob Lahman of Parkers Prairie.
Water management public hearing held
Otter Tail County Land and Resource Management Director Chris LeClair and County Auditor-Treasurer Wayne Stein, along with Alex Kvidt of the Otter Tail Water Management District, provided background on an expansion of the water district.
The expansion includes the addition of five parcels to the Otter Tail Water Management District. What followed, at the County Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, was a public hearing. Citizen input was accepted for the expansion of the Otter Tail Water Management District.
Highway department staff hire approved
County commissioners approved the hiring of one person to work in the Otter Tail County Highway Department. This person will lead the work of the fleet maintenance and sign crews.
“This will allow our department to become more proactive regarding the management of highway assets,” said Krysten Foster, county engineer.
The motion passed unanimously by the five-person Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners. Voting yes were Commissioners Mortenson, Sullivan, Johnson, Bucholz and Lahman.