Cass County Board: County turns back roads to Lima Township

   LIMA TOWNSHIP — Cass County Commissioners met in Lima Township for a special meeting on Tuesday, Apr. 12 to conduct a public hearing to consider the revocation of portions of County Roads 132, 133 and 134 to Lima Township and vacate a portions of County Road 134. 

   Cass County Administrator Josh Stevenson stated no written comments were received as a result of publishing the public notice. Several residents of Lima Township attended the meeting to receive information and provide input to Commissioners. The main concern from area residents and the Town Board was potential change to the current maintenance of the subject roads. They complimented the County on the current maintenance and expressed concerns regarding the ability to continue the level of service as a Township.  The Township informed Commissioners that they have not had or maintained township roads since 1958. It was also stated the Township has been considering becoming an Unorganized Township due to difficulty in finding Supervisors willing to serve on the Town Board, and having to hire for the Clerk and Treasurer positions. 

   Currently Lima Township’s levy is $4,000 and the cost of maintenance for the subject roads is shared by all County taxpayers. The subject roads maintenance costs would be passed onto local property owners upon revocation to the Township. It was also mentioned subject roads maintenance costs would be passed onto local property owners if the Township were to become unorganized after revocation to the of the subject roads. Stevenson informed the members of Lima Township if they wanted to proceed with becoming an unorganized township, the county would provide them with informationon the process. 

   County Engineer Darrick Anderson reported to the commissioners that the subject roads no longer meet county highway standards. Therefore, Anderson recommended revocating the roads to the township. Commissioner Rick Haaland motioned to approve the resolution revocating a segment of County Roads 132, 133 and 134 to Lima Township and vacating a segment of County Road 134. All commissioners approved the resolution unanimously. Visit the Cass County website at www.co.cass.mn.us for a complete description of the resolution.

   The next meeting are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Apr. 19 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus and Commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 3 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus.