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WALKER - Cass County Board will conduct a closed 9 a.m. meeting Oct. 22 at the courthouse in Walker to conduct annual performance evaluations on county department heads.

The commissioners Tuesday approved amending the county's contract with attorney Jon Eclov to expand his duties from "animal control hearing officer" to "hearing" officer, which will enable him to also hear appeals from people who have been cited for violating the county's ordinance against selling tobacco to minors.

They authorized Probation Director Jim Schneider and Central Services Director Tim Richardson to spend an additional $11,900 to $15,100 as a part of the probation department remodeling to convert two former vaults into offices.

The 8'x14' and 8'x16' vaults will have a seven-foot opening cut in one wall and improved ventilation, sprinkler systems and carpet installed.

The board awarded a contract to low bidder Ferrellgas to provide propane heating fuel to the county this winter. Cost will be $1.375 per gallon for transport and $1.394 per gallon for bulk deliveries. Cass's estimated use for the winter is 52,000 gallons by transport and 35,800 gallons by bulk deliveries for an expected total cost of $121,405.20.

Cass will receive $8,138 from a federal boating safety supplemental equipment grant.

The board authorized Sheriff Tom Burch to continue participating in the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force through 2016.

Health, Human and Veterans Services reported spending 47.49 percent of that budget through 58.33 percent of the year or $13,614,939. Out of home child placement costs ran 39 percent of budget in the same time period or $815,586.

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