Improving the infrastructure
Elbow Lake taking measures to upgrade the city streets and water system
Published Monday, March 10, 2008
Photo by Tom Hintgen
Jeff Holsen has served as Elbow Lake clerk-treasurer since 1985.
In light of inflation and increased construction costs, city of Elbow Lake Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Holsen said he’s pleased that the city council during the past 10 years agreed to upgrade 65 percent of the city’s streets and gutters — in addition to improving the city water system.
What’s left is upgrading the city’s infrastructure on the west side of town. In order to cut down on costs for this project, Holsen and city leaders hope to obtain state funding and associated low-interest loans.
“We’ve had a lot of discussion and debate on this west side infrastructure project,” Holsen said. “Right now it’s on hold. That being said, it’s still a priority issue.”
Holsen is a Fargo native and North Dakota State University graduate who spent seven years in the banking business in nearby Barrett prior to coming to Elbow Lake to work for city government in 1985. He said increased costs in new equipment and more dollars, with inflation cited in, are the main changes these past 23 years.
“Cities all across the state of Minnesota, Elbow Lake included, are dealing with levy increases,” Holsen said. “The state Legislature needs to address its aid formula for Minnesota cities.”
Holsen praises employees in city government who he says work as efficiently as possible and who make every effort to use city taxpayer dollars wisely.
Elbow Lake, a city of 1,275 people, is the hub of Grant County and offers small town living at its best.
The county seat of Grant County, Elbow Lake is home to several federal, state and local government agencies. The historic Grant County Courthouse stands in stately eminence at the head of the city's main street. The building is considered to be one of the most impressive architectural structures in west central Minnesota.
The courthouse building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
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