By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

The Truth in Taxation public meeting, held annually and this year on Dec. 2 in Fergus Falls, is held to discuss the proposed Otter Tail County budget and tax levy. The preliminary net property tax levy of $58.6 million for 2026 represents a proposed 5.5 percent net tax levy increase from the year 2025.

Attendees from throughout Otter Tail County,
speaking at the evening gathering in the County Government Services Center, asked county commissioners about higher taxes related to increases in human services. In response, commissioners reminded county taxpayers that county government oftentimes is responsible to operate unfunded mandates from the state and federal governments.

The mission of Otter Tail County Human Services is to provide an array of social services to families and individuals to help maintain the quality of life for all persons served. Several programs are available such as disability services, child support and substance use disorders. The county staff includes social workers, financial workers, child support officers and case aids.

During the Truth in Taxation gathering, on Dec. 2, County Interim Finance Director Kris Vipond said that Otter Tail County and the other counties in Minnesota provide essential community programs and services such as road maintenance, law enforcement and veterans services.

“Every year, counties pass a new budget to cover the costs of these crucial services,” Vipond said. “Our county employees in various departments work to manage service demands with the need to keep levies as low as possible for residents of Otter Tail County.”

A final vote on the 2026 county levy will be made by county commissioners at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the county board room, Government Services Center in Fergus Falls.

Earlier this year Otter Tail County faced a double-digit tax increase due to possible tax shifting from the state legislature to counties. “We as county commissioners from all across the state lobbied against this in St. Paul and fortunately we prevailed,” said Wayne Johnson, county board chairman for Otter Tail County.

The 2026 county budget, approved earlier by various departments who adhered to cost-saving measures, includes county services such as highway and bridge maintenance, health and human services, land and resource management, parks and trails, solid waste, the county sheriff department, emergency management, solid waste, probation and geographic information systems.