---

WALKER - No citizens appeared Thursday night at Cass County Board's public hearing to present and receive comments on the proposed 2013 county budget and levy.

The board expects to adopt the budget and levy as proposed at the 10 a.m. Dec. 18 regular board meeting at the courthouse in Walker. This will be the fifth year in a row the board has set the levy at the same dollar amount, $20,046,613.

At a regular commissioner's meeting earlier Thursday, the board approved closing county government offices at 3 p.m. Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and New Year's Eve, Jan. 1. The offices will remain closed Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and New Year's Day, Jan. 1. Offices will re-open at 8 a.m. Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

Cass County Board will change their meeting dates from the first and third Tuesdays to the second and fourth Tuesdays in January only for 2013.

This is because the first Tuesday falls on New Year's Day and because state statute requires the board to meet annually the Tuesday following the first Monday each year.

The 9 a.m. Jan. 8 meeting will be at the courthouse in Walker. The 9 a.m. Jan. 22 meeting will be at the land department building in Backus.

Second publication rights after Brainerd Dispatch.[[In-content Ad]]

---