Cass County Board: Cass County Attorney Ben Lindstrom presents annual report

   BACKUS- County Attorney Ben Lindstrom shared the 2021 annual report at the Tuesday, February 15 Cass County Board Meeting of Commissioners. Over the last two years there have been substantial staffing changes, with four new attorneys filling vacancies within the Office. This past summer, the Office utilized Minnesota’s Certified Student Attorney rules to hire a student attorney to handle less difficult tasks under the supervision of a licensed attorney.  This freed up regular attorneys to do more difficult tasks.  The Office plans to pursue a student attorney again this summer, funded in part through a Sourcewell grant and in part using funds forfeited from certain drug and driving while impaired offenders.

   Lindstrom also shared that the department began working through the backlog of cases from 2020 when the Courts lifted the pandemic suspension on most litigation in the spring of 2021.  Initially, the Office was preparing for and working through trial calendars with 40 or more cases scheduled for litigation; however, those numbers have now become more manageable. Most court hearings that do not involve testimony are still being conducted remotely via video conferencing. In 2021, the Office opened 2,185 new cases and provided a variety of legal opinions to County Agencies and Law Enforcement.  With the increased use of technology by law enforcement, the County Attorney’s Office must now process more data for any given case.  What once might have been a simple shoplifting case that involved a single report and statement can now involve hours of video and audio media.  Moving into 2022, the Office will be exploring new case management systems to help address this and other issues.

   Backus Fire Department and First Responders Chief Jason Smith attended the meeting to request $17,000 in American Rescue Plan Act Grant funds for a second LUCAS device for their unit that is kept at the new Ponto Lake Town Hall station. Smith explained these devices help them perform CPR, which can be physically exhausting on a responder. It was also stated the Backus rescue team responds to approximately 250 calls per year and covers more than 260 square miles. By purchasing these devices this will allow for fewer people to attend to the patient and perform other duties. Smith noted after the request was submitted the price of the unit has increased and they are going to need approximately $18,000, but stated they do have some money in reserves to cover this cost. Commissioner Jeff Peterson motioned to approve the application and raised the amount to the county reimbursing up to $18,000, with Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk seconding the motion. The board approved the motion unanimously.

   The Board also heard the fourth quarter report from Kevin Lee with the Longville Ambulance Service. Lee mentioned that again the revenues were unfavorable to budget due to decreased volumes, with expenses also being unfavorable to budget due to salary expense and having two full time members on leave during the first quarter. Overall the net margin for the fourth quarter was a loss of $35,500. Lee also stated customer satisfaction for the fourth quarter was at 92.7% and shared that there is a new survey tool called Feedback Innovations where customers can complete their survey from their phone or by text message.

   In other business, the county board:

   Nominated Commissioners Neal Gaalswyk and Scott Bruns to serve on the Sourcewell Representative Assembly for 2022 – 2023.

   Heard a report regarding the Budget Committee Workforce Housing meeting concerning the shortage of housing and determined that the county should move forward with another meeting.

   Approved a contract to develop a county transportation plan. This will assist with the county being able to apply for more state grant funds to assist with future highway projects.

   Approved the use of County administered land and county road right-of-way in conjunction with the Nisswa 100 Snowmobile Race.

   Heard from Executive Director of Lakes Area United Way, Jon Aga on the efforts the program is providing within Cass, Crow Wing and Aitkin Counties. Commissioners also discussed possible options the county staff could donate through payroll contributions and the possibility of Aga visiting with area townships to spread the word to residents on how to donate to the program.

   The next meeting are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Mar.1 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker and commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Mar. 15 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus.