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   BACKUS— With timber prices continuing to decrease, the quantity of timber sold increased during 2022 with Aspen continuing to be the majority sold. Land Commissioner Mark Gossman presented the timber sale information during his annual report Tuesday, April 18, to the Cass County Board of Commissioners.

   In 2022, 36,380 cords of aspen were sold at an average of $33.56 per cord, for a total of $1,220,874. The price per cord was down approximately $0.69 from 2021. The second highest timber sold was 14,065 cords of red oak for a total price of $499,817, an average of $35.54 per cord, down about $8 per cord. Basswood was the third highest timber sold, with 4,694 cords being sold for a total of $91,476 at an average price of $19.49 per cord, up approximately $1 per cord. The total of all timber and pulp sales in 2022 was $2,170,399.

   Gossman also highlighted a few expenses that saw significant differences. The first expense was permanent salaries, which saw an increase of $74,971 and was stated to be due to the lack of a position during 2021 and was filled in 2022. Secondly, trail maintenance saw a decrease of $252,558, which was noted to be due to timing of projects beginning and ending. The final expense highlighted with explanation was forest management, which saw an increase of $34,269 and was said to be due to the department performing more bud capping during the fall. Gossman informed the board expenses overall saw a decrease of approximately 8%.

   The land departments revenue also saw a decrease of approximately 6% during 2022, which was stated to be due to land sale inventory being lower than previous years. 

   For the complete Land Department Annual Report go to www.co.cass.mn.us.

   In other business, the commissioners:

   • Appointed Commissioners Neal Gaalswyk and Bob Kangas to a Committe of the Board to bring a recommendation to the full board on the appointment of the Health, Human and Veterans Services Director due to the retirement of Michele Piprude.

   • Approved expanding the scope of the solid waste management plan to include a business plan with future disposal options and bringing a request for proposal back to the solid waste committee for comments. A 32 month renewal contract with Waste Management. An agreement with Albany Recycling to use their trailer to haul electronics for $575 per load. An amendment to the hauling of municipal solid waste and recyclables contract with Evan McAllister for an additional $2.25 per mile, which changes by one percent for every $.12 in fuel costs.

   • Declared a State of Emergency for the spring flooding and wind and snow storms during the week of April 10, with significant damage being seen on public property.

   • Appointed Commissioner Bob Kangas as a representative to the Crow Wing River One Watershed One Plan Policy committee, with Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk as an alternate.

   • The next meeting are as follows: commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, May. 2 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker and commissioner’s board meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 at Ottertail Peninsula Township Townhall, 122325 W Shores Rd. NW, Cass Lake.

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