Otter Express shifts to joint board under local government control

Otter Express riders across Otter Tail County now have a new layer of local accountability, with the bus system steered by a Joint Powers Board instead of being run through Productive Alternatives. For people who rely on the service to get to work, medical appointments, school activities and errands, the real test is whether the change keeps buses dependable, fares manageable and service strong in towns from Fergus Falls and Perham to Barnesville, Battle Lake and Pelican Rapids.

The shift was formalized in a Joint Powers Agreement signed May 20, 2025, under Minnesota Statutes §471.59. The seven voting seats are split among Fergus Falls, Perham, Otter Tail County and Wilkin County, with Otter Tail County holding three seats, Fergus Falls two, Perham one and Wilkin County one. The board’s current officers are Anthony Hicks, chair, and Scott Kvamme, vice chair, both of Fergus Falls, and its listed members include Jonathan Smith, Dan Bucholz, Bob Lahman, Deb Sjostrom and Stephanie Sandbakken.

That structure gives the board authority to enter contracts, set policy, procure services and oversee operations, all with majority vote. The agreement also staggers the first terms so seats expire on December 31, 2025, December 31, 2026 and December 31, 2027, a setup meant to keep the transition orderly while local governments decide how much to invest in the system over time.

For riders, the service remains the daily issue. Otter Express says it provides transportation for adults, children, youth, elderly people and individuals with disabilities within the city limits of Fergus Falls, Perham and Breckenridge, and it also serves Barnesville, Battle Lake and Pelican Rapids. Riders are generally asked to call two days in advance, and the system lists a $1.00 additional fare for same-day bus rides.

The new arrangement also reflects a broader regional calculation. A June 2025 county-related report said Productive Alternatives had run public transportation in Otter Tail County for about 20 years before the transition, while the nonprofit kept its focus on employment pathways and quality of life for adults with disabilities and others facing employment barriers. Otter Express says the separation lets both organizations stay centered on their core missions.

The service’s scale has changed over time, but its reach still matters. A 2019 five-year transit plan showed a fleet of 23 buses, more than half in good or excellent condition, and estimated 2019 funding at $1,907,000. That plan also described a much wider service area spanning Otter Tail, Clay and Wilkin counties and cities including Moorhead and Fargo. With the board now meeting at 1 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at 1225 N Tower Road in Fergus Falls, the next phase will be judged by whether local control translates into steadier rides and room to grow.