Your County Government
Otter Tail County is comprised of four service teams: Health & Wellness, Safety & Justice, Finance, Property & License Management, and Economic Growth & Community Investment. The service teams, along with Administrative staff, under the leadership of the County Administrator, consist of departments that carry out a wide range of services from caring for veterans to plowing roads and public safety. Otter Tail County has a variety of communities all unique in their own way.
Otter Tail County is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners. Along with Commissioners from each of the five districts, the County Attorney and Sheriff are elected by the citizens of Otter Tail County. Advisory Boards, Commissions, Councils and External Committees serve to provide input to County leadership. First and foremost, Otter Tail County serves its citizens.
Mission, Vision, Values
Our Mission
Our mission is a brief description of why we exist. It provides focus, direction, and inspiration to team members while simultaneously establish public expectations.
Enrich lives, innovate services and enhance resources.
Our Vision Statement
Our vision is an aspirational explanation of what our organization wants to be and accomplish in the future. It identifies our goals, provides direction, and motivates us to move forward.
Be a recognized and respected county where people want to live, work and play.
Our Organizational Values
Our values are what we stand for and what is important to us as an organization.
Serving people with integrity, fiscal responsibility, respect and innovation for enduring success.
Download Otter Tail County Organizational Framework: Mission, Vision, Values (pdf)
Rally Cry
Our rally cry is not a marketing slogan. Rather, it captures the vision and ambitions of our organization. It reflects our belief that the programs and services we provide are instrumental for residents to “live their best life” in Otter Tail County. It also highlights our commitment to creating an organizational environment that attracts new employees, engages our existing employees, creates loyalty and inspires them to stay.
Live Your Best Life Here
History
Otter Tail is a county located in West Central Minnesota, U.S.A. It is home to over one thousand of Minnesota’s beautiful lakes. Otter Tail County boasts many miles of scenic highways, rolling hills , and is home to two Minnesota State Parks (Glendalough and Maplewood) as well as Phelps Mill County Park.
Due to its unique location at the continental divide, rain falling in Otter Tail Lake flows all the way to Hudson Bay (Canada) via the Red River of the north, while rain falling just a short distance away into Leaf Lakes follows a southern route, traveling a wandering path all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Early explorers would portage from Leaf Lake to Portage Lake to Donald Lake to Pelican Bay on Otter Tail Lake and be on their way through Canada to Hudson Bay.
Read more about the History of Otter Tail County.
Highest Paid County Employees
Minnesota session law of 2005, Chapter 156 requires cities and counties with a population of over 15,000 to notify residents of the positions and base salaries of its three highest paid employees.
| Position | 2026 Salaries |
|---|---|
| County Engineer | $236,170 |
| County Attorney | $208,749 |
| County Administrator | $208,749 |