OT County sees benefits as member of MCIT
News | Published on June 17, 2025 at 3:55pm GMT+0000 | Author: Tucker Henderson
0By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent
County board members, on Tuesday, June 10, discussed the many benefits to Otter Tail County as part of a risk sharing group dedicated to providing coverage and management for its members, including other counties in Minnesota.
Wayne Johnson, county board chairman who represents the Pelican Rapids area on the five-person board of county commissioners, pointed out why Otter Tail County is a member of the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT).
Members receive benefits of participating in the MCIT program not offered by commercial insurance carriers. Contributions, noted Johnson, are priced to provide enough funds to cover expected member claims while not over-collecting.
As an example, MCIT workers’ compensation coverage pays for all benefits required of a member such as Otter Tail County for injuries and illnesses suffered by employees. MCIT loss control consultants help members with safety programs, hazard identification such as workplace safety surveys, OSHA standards and employee injury data analysis.
“One important benefit for us, in county government, is the MCIT employee assistance program,” Johnson said. “This is an excellent risk management tool designed to provide employees of MCIT members and their departments access to qualified counselors.”
Speaking with county board members on June 10 was MCIT Risk Management Consultant Joe Cieminski. “MCIT also assists with personal concerns that may affect performance at work,” he said. “This service is voluntary and confidential.”
MCIT financial resources can also be used for law enforcement safety training, dog K9 programs and other programs that can benefit county government and Otter Tail County residents as a whole.
Otter business at
county board meeting
County Land and Resource Management Director Chris LeClair updated county commissioners about the septic system loan program. This includes use of state dollars that provide low-cost and long-term financing to county property owners for the repair or replacement of substandard or failing septic systems.
LeClair said that an additional $500,000 has been added to the $750,000 in place in 2024. The result is an impressive $1.25 million available for owners of septic systems in Minnesota.
A school resource officer agreement with the Underwood school system was reviewed by Chief Deputy Sheriff Reed Reinbold. Underwood does not have a police department and thus a school resource officer position is filled through the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office.
“Relationships developed between the resource officer and students is very important,” said County Commissioner Kurt Mortenson who represents the Underwood area on the county board.
The Underwood school district will pay the County Sheriff’s Office. This funding will go towards the resource officer salary and benefits during the term of this agreement.
County Deputy Administrator Nick Leonard provided a Otter Express Joint Powers Board update.
Otter Express bus service, operated for many years in Otter Tail County by Fergus Falls-based Productive Alternatives, is shifting to a proposed Joint Powers Board consisting of county government, county communities and nearby Wilkin County. The Joint Powers Board, starting in 2026, will enter into contracts, establish bus service policies, procure services and oversee operations.
County board members who serve on the Joint Powers Board include Commissioners Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood, Dan Buckholz of Perham and Bob Lahman of Parkers Prairie.
The Maplewood State Park section of the county recreational trail from Pelican Rapids to Perham will be completed in the near future. Continual rainfalls in 2024 delayed much of the work, according to County Parks and Trails Director Kevin Fellbaum.
Due to higher material prices, unit prices for the work near Maplewood Park will be adjusted. The contractor, noted Fellbaum, will construct concrete walk, curb and gutter.
Otter Tail County Community Development Director Amy Baldwin reported on the West Central Initiative grant for the empowered workers program. This program provides training to individuals to overcome barriers to employment and obtain jobs. Program participants represent underserved populations, including individuals with disabilities and people in need of housing.