By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

The county board of commissioners, on March 10, authorized continuation of a half-cent sales tax as provided under Minnesota statutes for the purpose of funding Otter Tail County transportation projects from 2026 through 2031. A public hearing to consider the updated plan was held on Feb. 24, 2026.

The 2008 Minnesota State Legislature authorized a local option sales tax for transportation. Otter Tail County, since 2016, has administered a half-cent sales tax for road and bridge maintenance.

The county board motion on March 10 for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by County Commissioner Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood and seconded by Commissioner Sean Sullivan of Fergus Falls. After discussion the resolution passed unanimously with approval from Mortenson, Sullivan and County Commisioners Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids, Dan Bucholz of Perham and Bob Lahman of Parkers Prairie.

Also taking effect in 2016 was a county charge of $10 added to vehicle license tab renewals, later increased to $20 per vehicle in 2018. This money also goes to road and bridge maintenance.

Otter Tail County is larger in size than the state of Rhode Island and paved roads total 1,062 miles.

The backbone of the highway system in Otter Tail County requires lots of financial investment, note all five county board members. All of them remind county residents that those who have attended public meetings in previous years have expressed their desire for roadways and bridges to be maintained at the highest level.

County commissioners, over the years, have also emphasized to county taxpayers that the half cent sales tax and license fees are necessary. That’s because other funding sources (state, federal and county levy taxes) have fallen short of what has been needed for road and bridge maintenance.

Area counties which also have half-cent sales taxes and license fees for roadways include Becker, Douglas and Wadena counties.

More about county

highway department

An engineering section of the Otter Tail County Highway Department is responsible for inspections, engineering design and construction of highways and bridge projects. This section also provides technical support to other county departments.

The maintenance section of the county highway department includes employees who provide routine maintenance services to the highways and bridges throughout Otter Tail County.

These maintenance operations are divided into five maintenance areas which include garages in various sections of the county. Snow plowing during the winter months is part of their job descriptions.