By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

County commissioners, on April 8, following a public hearing, voted to assist Bongards Creamery of Perham with a revenue bond issuance request. This will provide assistance to the Perham business with a waste-water improvement system, part of an overall modernization plan for the cheese and whey manufacturer.

“The state of Minnesota has an allocation pool for these types of projects,” said county Community Development Director Amy Baldwin to county commissioners.

The bonds will be paid solely by loan repayments to be paid by the borrower (Bongards) under the terms of a loan agreement. The county’s adoption of this resolution does not obligate the county, directly or indirectly. The bond counsel is Ballard Spahr LLP of Minneapolis.

“This is a good opportunity for county government to assist a respected business in Otter Tail County,” said County Board Chairman Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids. “This assistance will help keep Bongards as a thriving business in Perham.”

Added Commissioner Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood, “We welcome the facilitator role, with approval from the state of Minnesota.”

Upon delivery of the bonds to the underwriter, the underwriter will, on behalf of Otter Tail County, advance the proceeds of the bonds to the borrower (Bongards) to finance the project.

Broadband help to Battle Lake area

The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners believes that broadband (high-speed internet service) is an expectation of residents and businesses throughout the county. To that end the county board, on April 8, encouraged Perham-based Arvig to enhance broadband in the Battle Lake area.

The Federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program provides funding for broadband infrastructure for states to achieve “internet for all” through the expansion of service to areas of Minnesota that are unserved.

The county board went on record encouraging and supporting Arvig in applying for the BEAD funding for the Battle Lake area. Commissioners instructed county staff members to write a letter of support for the service provider (Arvig).

Sheriff Office receives water safety grant

Otter Tail County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons addressed county board members about the annual county boat and water safety grant from the state of Minnesota. This year’s award totals $69,738.

The state needs county sheriff office assistance throughout Minnesota to carry out the provisions of the Boat and Water Safety Rules, including water patrol, enforcement, search and rescue, watercraft inspection, event permits, waterway marking and accident investigation.

This grant contract agreement involves the state of Minnesota, acting through its Commissioner of Natural Resources, Enforcement Division. The goal is to reduce deaths, injuries and property damage on state waters. A spending plan and county signature is required on each grant. 

County looks at energy savings

County staff have explored opportunities to enhance energy efficiency and reduce operational costs across Otter Tail County facilities. The county board, on April 8, voted to proceed with an Investment Grade Audit (IGA) by Twin Cities-based McKinstry.

The IGA provides in-depth analysis and financial modeling, assistance with rebates and financing options which may be important if the board proceeds with significant capital improvements.

In future months the county also will work with Otter Tail Power Company in coordination with McKinstry.

The audit will be completed in the following county buildings in Fergus Falls: Courthouse, Jail, Sheriff Office, Law Enforcement Center, County Government Services Center, South Court Street Building and Recycling Center on North Tower Road.

“The bottom line is that we need to have energy savings for taxpayers,” said County Board Chairman Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids. “This audit will provide information. We as a county board will have options from which to choose or not choose.”