State Auditor Rebecca Otto recently visited Fairmont to explain something she is working on with the University of Minnesota and state agencies. It is a project that maps the location, value, age and condition of infrastructure for every community in the state. And, remarkably, the maps are being assembled with information that already exists in state reports, meaning cities are not required to do any new reporting, or face any new cost.

Eventually, the plan is to post all the infrastructure data on the state auditor’s website as a resource, for citizens and lawmakers. Otto believes lawmakers will be able to quickly access the information to see the importance of funding infrastructure needs, especially in communities that have aging and shrinking populations.

Some of the specific data Otto presented was interesting. In Fairmont’s case, the map revealed that sewer lines in town vary in age, but about one third are more than 50 years old. Those who operate the lines know this already, but citizens may not. This kind of information provides a basis of understanding for needed infrastructure work, as well as the associated costs.

Otto is to be commended for looking ahead, and for promoting government openness in the name of information and education. We wish her well on her endeavor and hope it becomes and remains a useful tool for lawmakers, state agencies, cities and citizens for years to come.