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LONGVILLE - Minnesota State Demographer's Office thinks Cass County's population rose between 2010 and 2014 by a net gain of only three people.

The demographer's office shows the 2014 estimated population at 28,570.

The report shows a slight overall decline in population in four of the county's five commissioner districts, with only the southern most district showing a 133-person increase to offset declines elsewhere.

Sylvan Township gained 106 people. The city of Lake Shore gained 29 people and Fairview Township, seven. Pillager lost two people. East Gull Lake lost eight.

Cass County Board authorized Probation Director Jim Schneider to apply for a federal Department of Justice grant through Minnesota Department of Public Safety to start a Cass pretrial release program.

Schneider tried unsuccessfully earlier to seek a MacArthur Foundation grant for the same program.

The justice department grant would be $200,000 for a two-year program. If the grant is successful and the program diminishes recidivism, Schneider said the board would have to decide after two years whether the county wants to continue and pay for the program.

Today, 44 Minnesota counties already operate a pre-trial release program, Schneider said.

Administrator Robert Yochum reported he, two commissioners and County Engineer David Enblom met July 13 with Leech Lake Reservation government managers to continue working on cooperative projects. Yochum especially praised the success of joint road and trails projects.

Auditor-Treasurer Sharon Anderson reported the county earned $471,758.93 interest on investments through June this year or $58,213.67 more than the first half of 2014. That also is 2 percent higher than the budget projected for this year.

The commissioners authorized the auditor-treasurer office to provide election support services for Northland School District if the district decides to hold a Nov. 9 special election.

They approved paying $3,500 to Working Together Coalition to cover a half year of services WTC provides for beverage server training and alcohol compliance checks to ensure businesses do not sell alcohol to minors.

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