June 10, 2021 at 1:12 p.m.
Cass Board approves exploration of prescription drug collection/disposal program
The Polk County incinerator at Fosston will accept pharmaceuticals for burning, she said.
The challenge will be to establish secure locations where drugs may be collected from the public. Beltrami and Hubbard Counties are considering collection programs at their law enforcement centers, she said.
Board Chair Jim Dowson said he would like to see Cass set up a program that would be convenient to all residents.
Following up on a comment from Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk about cooperating with Crow Wing County, Dowson suggested cooperative agreements with several neighboring counties, whereby Cass residents could take their waste drugs to the law enforcement center at Walker or to any neighboring county law enforcement center.
Sailer said her goal would be to implement the program by May or June. She said studies are showing that flushing drugs down the toilet ultimately is leading to drugs showing up in ground and surface waters.[[In-content Ad]]
That disposal method is not good for the environment, she said.
Administrator Robert Yochum reported the Association of Cass County Lakes has offered to contribute $1,000 toward printing the information sheet on zebra mussles that the county will mail this year with tax statements.
Ringle reported Cass will receive $29,632 from Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources to pay for voluntary private sewer system inspections on Sylvan Lake and Lake Margaret in southern Cass.
The county will apply to the Initiative Foundation for a $20,000 grant to enable healthy Lakes and Rivers Partnership citizen-driven visioning sessions for the following lakes: Hardy, Sylvan, Blackwater, Norway, Ten Mile, Ponto, Pike Bay and Leech.
The Cass County Board Tuesday approved the three remaining 2011 and 2012 union contracts with county employees.
Employees in five of the six bargaining groups also have approved the contracts. Members of Teamsters Local 320, representing assistant attorneys in the county attorney's office will be the last group of union members to vote on their contract.
Each contract calls for zero increase from 2010 to the county's pay plan in 2011 or 1012. Most employees who have less than 10 years seniority in their position will be eligible for a step increase July 1 of each year, representing about a 3 percent rise.
Cass employees and the county will continue an existing policy of splitting any increase in medical insurance costs each year. The county provides a basic life insurance plan.
Employees, at their option, may chose to pay for additional hospitalization coverage for themselves or dependants, a health care reimbursement account, a daycare reimbursement account, a taxable income plan, a deferred income plan or short-term disability.
The county earlier had eliminated retiree insurance benefits effective with new people hired Jan. 1, 2008, or later.
Second publication rights after Brainerd Dispatch.
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