Cass County Board:Commissioners approve 5.06% Preliminary levy increase

   WALKER —  The Cass County Commissioners approved a preliminary tax levy increase of 5.06% above the 2022 levy at the Tuesday, Sept. 6 County Board meeting, which was lower than the 6.97% increase with all of the departmental head requests included.

   Chief Financial Officer Sandra Norikane informed the board one of the increase requests was from the Longville Ambulance in the additional amount of $131,000 annually, which is the first increase requested since 2017. With other departmental requests an increase of $9,510,827 over the 2022 budget was requested, however the budget committee was able to reduce the amount to $1,219,809 over the 2022 budget. The committee was able to reduce the amount by utilizing $125,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds toward the county’s general fund salary effort, by only levying 95% of salaries and benefits for various departments and reducing equipment purchases for items with potential other funding sources.

   Another issue Norikane informed the board was the impact of net tax capacity with the increases on residential and commercial taxable market values. It was noted if citizens previously qualified for the residential homestead credit and the market value has increased to over $413,777, which is the maximum valuation due to state tax rules, the homestead credit is eliminated. Also, if the market value is greater than $500,000 property falls into a new tax bracket and is charged 1.25% more than previous. 

   The Budget Committees next meeting is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 7, to meet with department heads to continue lowering their 2023 budget requests.

   Board Chair, Bob Kangas then opened the meeting for the public hearing regarding the regulation of golf cart usage on city and county roads within Lake Shore. There was no public in attendance and County Administrator Josh Stevenson stating no written comments have been received. Stevenson addressed a concern brought up during a previous meeting regarding the age of the operator of the golf carts. There was concern that children would be operating the golf carts, Stevenson pointed out that within the ordinance it stated all operators must have a valid drivers license or must be 15 years old with a learners permit and must be accompanied by a licensed operator over the age of 18. The public hearing was then closed, with the second reading and final adoption for the ordinance set for the Sept. 20 meeting.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Adopted a resolution approving a Greater Minnesota Legacy Grant application for Phase 3 of the Gull Lake Trail, and agreed as Cass County being the Fiscal Agent for legality purposes in order for the application to be considered.

   • Received an update on the petition of dissolution of Lima Township, by stating enough signatures have been received on the petition and a special election will be held on Nov. 8 with the general election. 

   • Received an update on the petition for annexation by ordinance  for the City of Bena.

   • Awarded a contract to Bolton & Menk, Inc for the final design and construction administration for County State Aid Highway 70, using 80% Federal Funds and 20% State Aid Funds.

   • Awarded a contract in Houle Excavating, in the amount of $283,619, for a project on Longwood Point Rd. NE in Crooked Lake Township and the replacement of a bridge.

   The next meetings are as follows: 911 Observance, 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Veterans Podium on the courthouse lawn in Walker; commissioner’s board meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Boy River City Hall, 112 Main Street S, Boy River and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker;