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Prairie Lakes ash reuse extends landfill life; unexpected utility bill spike draws scrutiny
Summary
Officials said using incinerator ash in roadway reclamation has extended ash landfill life but capacity remains limited; commissioners noted an unexpected $110,000 increase in Otter Tail Power charges (from about $490,000 to $600,000) and asked staff to investigate whether usage or rate changes caused the jump.
County representatives reported on Prairie Lakes, a regional incineration partnership that supplies ash used in local road reclamation. Using ash in road beds has extended the county’s ash-landfill life by months, officials said, but overall capacity remains limited—estimated at 8–9 years.
"We used about 5,300 ton of our ash in roadway," a commissioner summarized, and the intercounty group is forming a subcommittee to coordinate ash use and transfer-station upgrades among partner counties. Separately, commissioners flagged a large increase in electricity expense: Otter Tail Power costs rose from roughly $490,000 last year to about $600,000 this year. "We hadn't budgeted that much," one commissioner said, and the board asked staff to compare usage profiles and rates year-over-year and to search for billing anomalies.
The board also reviewed preliminary highway projects and building needs at Lake Park, and asked highway staff to return with additional detail on energy use and ash-handling logistics.
