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Fergus Falls outlines busy 2026 construction slate after engineering outsourcing saves roughly $440,000
Summary
City Administrator Andrew said outsourcing the engineering department produced roughly $440,000 in annual savings and detailed multiple planned 2026 capital projects — roundabouts, bridge replacement, street reconstructions and utility upgrades — that will drive a heavy construction season. Council discussion focused on office space and public‑safety readiness; no action taken.
Fergus Falls City officials told council members their 2026 calendar will be heavy with public‑works projects after the city restructured its engineering function and advanced capital planning.
City Administrator Andrew said the 2025 move to outsource engineering to More Engineering (led by Kyle Meyer) "saved the city just about $440,000 on an annual basis" and allowed staff to accelerate updates to the capital improvement plan. Andrew listed major 2026 projects including three interstate‑area roundabouts tied to a 210 bridge replacement, a final asphalt lift on Junius Avenue, Scenic Drive and Shore View Drive reconstructions, Lincoln Avenue alleyway and parking improvements, a new trail on the dairy property, and Milan overlay on Pebble Lake Road.
The capital program includes coordinated work with Ottertale County for the Fryberg roundabout and a demo‑cell expansion at the municipal landfill to increase disposal capacity. Andrew emphasized coordination with businesses near the interstate roundabouts and noted an ongoing outreach meeting had just occurred.
Budget context: Andrew repeated finance figures from his broader presentation — an $8.7 million tax levy within a $56.5 million city budget and a final levy increase of 1.85% after reductions from an earlier 8.13% proposal. He said outsourcing engineering contributed to operating savings but did not present a formal ordinance or budget amendment during the meeting.
Utility and water‑infrastructure items tied to the capital slate include upgrades to lift stations (Channing and Minnesota Motors) and an ongoing lead‑and‑copper service‑line inventory and replacement planning. Andrew said the Minnesota Motors lift station is among the oldest in the system and will require significant work. He also reported that the water plant provided 371 million gallons of drinking water in 2025 and the wastewater plant treated over 500 million gallons, including outside haulers that bring in additional volume.
Council questions focused on space reallocation resulting from the engineering outsourcing and the building department move; Andrew said staff are considering creating an additional internal meeting room in city hall (which could double as a storm shelter) but had not decided on a final plan. No motions, votes or contract awards were made during the presentation.
Why it matters: The outsourcing decision and the listed capital projects together shape the city's near‑term capital spending priorities and require coordination with businesses, contractors and neighboring jurisdictions; the changes will affect traffic, utility service and construction schedules across Fergus Falls.
Follow up: Staff signaled they will provide updated economic‑development metrics (Dr. Leone’s updated data) at the subsequent council meeting and will provide additional details on permit occupancy timing when requested.
