PUBLIC NOTICE OF TOWNSHIP OFFICES TO BE ELECTED
AT MARCH ELECTIONS – LEAF LAKE TOWNSHIP
Notice is hereby given to the people of Leaf Lake Township, County of Otter Tail, State of Minnesota, these are the positions available:
One Supervisor for a three-year term
One Clerk for a two-year term
Filing will open on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, and close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Filing will take place at the clerk’s home. Filing fee is $2.00.
Dawn Lueders, Clerk
50002 Leaf River Road
Leaf Lake Township
Published December 10, December 17, 2025
Homestead Township Notice
Notice is hereby given that a Township Election in Homestead Township of Otter Tail County, State of Minnesota, will be held on March 10, 2026.
Affidavits of candidacy may be filed with Jason Cooley by calling 218-639-2489 from December 30, 2025 through January 13, 2026 until 5:00 P.M for the offices of:
One (1) Supervisor…………………….. 3 year term
One (1) Clerk……………………………….2 year term
There is a filing fee of $2.00
Jason Cooley, Clerk
Published December 10, December 17, 2025
Otto Township
FILING NOTICE:
Filing for the position of:
Supervisor (3-year term)
Clerk for a (2-year term)
Filing will begin on Tuesday December 30, 2025 and will end at 5:00 PM on Tuesday January 13, 2026 and can be done at the office of John Carlson, Otto Township Clerk. $2 Filing Fee. Call 218-298-1519 to schedule.
Published December 10, December 17, December 24, 2025
Filing Notice for Deer Creek Township
Affidavit of candidacy for office may be filed with the clerk from Tuesday, December 30th 2025, until Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. each day at the home of the clerk.
Offices to be filed for are as follows:
One (1) supervisor for a three (3) year term; one (1) Clerk for a two (2) year term. Filing fee is $2.00.
Date of the Township Election is Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Deer Creek Fire Hall. Poll will be opened from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The Annual Meeting will be held following the closing of the poll, approximately 8:15.
Cheri Tumberg, DCT Clerk
33500 County Highway 135
New York Mills, MN 56567
Published December 17, December 24, December 31, 2025,
January 7, 2026
SUMMARY MINUTES
New York Mills City Council 118 N Main Ave New York Mills, MN
December 9, 2025 4:30 p.m.
Members present: Maki, Nesland, Hetland, Grotheer, Hammond
Staff present: Police Chief Bobby Berndt, Public Works Director Mattson (6 pm)
Guests Present: None
Call to Order by Mayor Hetland at 4:30 p.m. A quorum was present.
Pledge of Allegiance
Final Agenda Adoption –Motion by Nesland to approve with addition to agenda, 2nd by Hammond. Vote u/c
Approval of Minutes from November 18, 2025 Regular Meeting – Motion by Maki to approve, 2nd by Grotheer. Vote u/c Communications & Recognitions – Thank you from Senator Jordan Rasmussen for attending Local Leaders Summit. Department Reports
Liquor Store Report – Motion by Hammond to approve, 2nd by Grotheer. Vote u/c Fire Dept Report- Motion by Nesland to approve, 2nd by Hammond. Vote u/c
Police Department Report – Motion by Hammond to approve, 2nd by Grotheer. Vote u/c
Utilities Department Report – Motion by Nesland to approve report, 2nd by Maki. Vote u/c
Administration Report – Motion by Hammond to approve report along with closing at noon on Christmas Eve, 2nd by Maki. Vote u/c.
Committee Reports- Economic Development Authority-Draft minutes in packet from November 19, 2025 meeting. Next Meeting December 17, 2025.
Financial Consent Agenda, Financial Reports & Payment of Financial Claims-Motion by Hammond to approve, 2nd by Grotheer. Vote u/c
Old Business- None New Business-
Proclamation for Commitment to the Civic Pledge for a Stronger Minnesota-Proclamation no. 12-09-2025- Motion by Hammond to approve Proclamation No. 12-09-2025, 2nd by Maki. Vote u/c.
Second Half 2025 Proposed Transfers Approval- Motion to approve by Grotheer, 2nd by Nesland. Vote u/c.
Tobacco License & Liquor License Renewal Approvals- Motion to approve by Grotheer, 2nd by Maki. Vote as follows: In Favor: Grotheer, Maki, Nesland. Hetland & Hammond abstained. Motion passed.
Resolution to Designate the Polling Place for 2026 Election-Resolution No. 12-09-2025- Motion to approve by Hammond, 2nd by Grotheer. Vote u/c.
Resolution Acknowledging Council Support for CDA Grant for the NYM EDA BOOST Loan Fund Application-Resolution No. 12-09-2025a -Motion to approve by Hammond, 2nd by Maki. Vote u/c.
Resolution Acknowledging Council Support for CDA Grant for the NYM EDA Business Revitalization Loan/Grant Program Round 3-Resolution No. 12-09-2025c – Motion to approve by Nesland, 2nd by Maki. Vote u/c.
Recessed Meeting at 4:50 pm- Motion to approve recess by Nesland, 2nd by Hammond. Vote u/c.
Meeting Reconvened at 5:00 pm-
Public Requests – None
Open Public Forum – No one present with concerns
Recessed Meeting at 5:00 pm- Motion by Grotheer to recess, 2nd by Hammond. Vote u/c.
Opened Council Work Session at 5:00 pm to create work goals for approval in January-
Closed Work Session at 5:37 pm-Motion to close by Nesland, 2nd by Hammond. Vote u/c.
Reconvened Meeting at 5:40 pm-
Truth in Taxation Presentation was run through by Council to be repeated at 6:01 pm if guests are present. Council considered 11.27% levy increase.
Recessed Meeting at 5:48 pm. Motion to recess until 6:01 pm by Hammond, 2nd by Maki. Vote: All opposed. Meeting was kept open.
Recessed Meeting at 5:51 pm- Motion by Grotheer to approve recess, 2nd by Hammond. Vote u/c.
Meeting Reconvened at 6:01 pm for Public Hearing for Truth in Taxation Presentation- No one from Public was in attendance.
Public Hearing was Closed at 6:01 pm- Motion by Hammond, 2nd by Grotheer to close Public Hearing. Vote u/c.
Council Meeting Resumed at 6:02 pm-
Final 2026 Budget/2025 Tax Levy Payable 2026 Discussion and Approval- Motion by Hammond to approve, 2nd by Maki. Vote u/c.
Approval of 2026 Pay Equity Scale per 2025 Budget- Motion by Grotheer to approve, 2nd by Hetland. Vote u/c.
Approval of 2026 Utility Rates- Motion to approve by Hammond, 2nd by Nesland. Vote u/c.
Approval of Resolution No. 12-09-2025b – resolution Approving Labor Agreement between the City of New York Mills and Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc., Local No. 519 (LELS) Resolution No. 12-09-2025b- Motion by Grotheer to approve, 2nd by Hammond, Vote u/c.
Adjournment- Motion by Nesland to adjourn at 6:07 pm, 2nd by Grotheer. Vote u/c.
Next Regular Meeting
Tuesday January 13, 2026
Published December 17, 2025