Otter Tail County Releases October Updates, Road Plans, Volunteer Call

Otter Tail County posted its monthly update on October 31, 2025, detailing a range of ongoing projects and community service items that will shape county operations and resident experience in the coming months. The update highlights infrastructure work included in the county 2025 road and bridge project plan, public meeting schedules, and an appeal for volunteer drivers to support Human Services of Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties.

At the center of the engineering items is progress on the Fir/Friberg roundabout, a project that directly affects local traffic flow and safety in that corridor. The county also included Highway 52 reclamation and Highway 35 shoulder widening in the 2025 road and bridge plan. These projects signal county priorities for maintenance and capacity work in 2025, and they are likely to involve construction staging, temporary detours, and coordination with state transportation authorities. Residents who use these routes should monitor county communications for schedules and the anticipated impacts on travel and commuting.

The update makes clear that the county is taking steps to make its governance more accessible. Board of Commissioners meetings are available on the county YouTube channel, and the videos are chaptered by agenda item. This practice enables residents to view deliberations remotely and to locate specific agenda topics without watching full proceedings. The calendar of upcoming meetings provides multiple opportunities for public engagement, including Board of Commissioners meetings on November 4 and November 18, a Commissioners Open House in Fergus Falls on November 17, a Planning Commission meeting on November 12, and a Board of Adjustment meeting on November 13. These sessions are the formal venues where policy decisions and land use matters advance from proposal to action.

Community service needs are also emphasized. Human Services of Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties is seeking volunteer drivers, with reimbursement at the IRS mileage rate. Volunteer trips include transports to court hearings, visitation appointments, and county service appointments. This request reflects an ongoing reliance on community volunteers to fill service gaps, and it offers residents a concrete way to support neighbors who need transportation for essential appointments.

The notice also advised residents that most county offices were closed for Veterans Day on November 11, and would be closed on November 27 and November 28 for Thanksgiving. Those closures affect when in person services are available and when county staff can respond to requests.

Taken together, the October update provides a snapshot of county priorities in infrastructure, transparency, and community services. Residents should review the county website and the chaptered meeting videos to follow project timelines, assess the local impact of planned road work, and take part in public meetings where decisions affecting local budgets and land use are made.