June 10, 2021 at 1:12 p.m.
Cass Board settles contract with Teamsters
It follows the same terms as previously approved agreements with other bargaining units - 2.5 percent raise this year and in 2016, plus step increases in July for those who have worked for the county 10 years or less.
This contract grants employees a $25 increase each year for their clothing allowance, making that allowance $750 this year and $775 in 2016.
Employment terms generally follow those in contracts already settled and in the county's personnel policy.
Laura Hadrava, Cass Highway Department construction/design engineer, informed the county board that if the governor's proposal for how to increase state road funding were adopted, Cass could gain an additional $10.7 million for highway construction and 7.1 million for road maintenance over the next 10 years.
The funding comes from motor vehicle fuel taxes, motor vehicle registration fees and motor vehicle sales taxes. Counties receive 29 percent of the state's highway funding as state aid.
Cass County got $1,906,339 state aid maintenance funding in 2014 and contributed $684,772 in county money to do all the regular maintenance needed, Hadrava said. If the governor's plan were approved, Cass would get $2,723,635 per year, more than offsetting the local levy Cass has had to raise to do its road maintenance work.
The county got $3,483,007 state construction aid in 2014 and matched that with $563,819 in local property tax levy money. If the governor's proposal were approved, Cass would get $4,105,452 state construction aid, again more than offsetting the local levy.
"There is a large gap between (current) aid needs and actual revenue," she said.
Cass townships will share $486,602 gas tax money this year to help the towns maintain their 893 miles of road in the county. The state sends the money to the county for distribution.
In Cass County, the division is made based on 50 percent on miles of road in the town, 25 percent on town population and 25 percent on a town's market value.
The county board awarded a contract to Craig's Glass of Park Rapids for $11,780 to remove and replace front doors on the U.S. Post Office side of the building at Pine River the county owns. One side will be a fixed glass.
On the west side door, a windbreak will be installed to prevent wind from blowing the door open and bending hinges. This is in the same bid contract.
Heat bills have been high and employees have been cold in that facility, because the wind blows doors open and prevents them from fully closing.
Sheriff Tom Burch obtained board approval to pay the Salvation Army $700 for 50 meals and snacks provided during Teen Cert training and 120 meals provided during the ice rescue training exercise.
The county's contract for health, human and veterans services building in Walker with Ultimate Cleaning Team will be extended to include office space not previously part of the contract. This will increase the cost from $900 per month to $1,075 per month.
The commissioners approved paying the 2015 $17,500 contribution to the Initiative Foundation and the $1,500 support for Mississippi Headwaters Board.
The board authorized Bi-County Community Action Programs to administer funds available through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program.
Jamie Richter, health services director, obtained board approval to amend a Minnesota Department of Health grant contract to extend services with all state funding through January 2016 for the maternal, infant and early childhood home visiting program.
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