By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

A motion by County Commissioner Sean Sullivan of Fergus Falls and seconded by Commissioner Bob Lahman of Parkers Prairie was unanimously carried to schedule public hearings for food, pool and lodging ordinances at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, during the regular Board of Commissioners meeting at the County Government Services Center in Fergus Falls.

Also attending the public hearings will be County Board Chairman Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids, Commissioner Dan Bucholz of Perham and Commissioner Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood.

AIS prevention funds come to Otter Tail County

County commissioners agreed to accept the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid from the State of Minnesota in the amount of $461,619. The county will use the proceeds as recommended by the Otter Tail County Aquatic Invasive Species Task

Force and in conformity with the requirements of Minnesota statute.

It is the mission of the Otter Tail County AIS Task Force to develop programs and strategies to support and enhance the protection of Otter Tail County waters. In order to accomplish this, the Task Force promotes public awareness, education, containment, research and provides recommendations to the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners.