GENERAL COMMENTS

Otter Tail County is predominantly rural and has a population of approximately 58,000 with a current trend where population is increasing, particularly in our rural areas. The County is approximately 41 miles in the North – South direction and 54 miles in the East – West direction. Otter Tail County contains 2,213 square miles of land area and over 1,000 lakes. The terrain varies from the flat open farmland of the Red River Valley to rolling pastures and woods.

The Otter Tail County Highway Department is responsible for maintaining 2096 lane miles of both rural and urban roadway. We have a maintenance staff of 33 individuals comprised of the following: 1 maintenance supervisor, 4 maintenance group leaders, 22 maintenance workers, 3 mechanics, and 2 sign technicians. The County is divided into 4 maintenance areas with a maintenance group leader in each area.

We have 26 plow routes with one operator assigned to each one of these routes. Each route has approximately 75-90 lane miles. The Otter Tail County Highway Department has only enough personnel to operate one shift daily.
This policy supersedes all previous Otter Tail County written documents and unwritten policies on the subject of snow removal and ice control.

This policy is effective as of December 13, 2005 by action of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners at their regular Board Meeting on December 13, 2005.