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   BACKUS — County Administrator Josh Stevenson shared an Opioid settlement summary at the Tuesday, Dec. 19 Cass County board meeting.

   During the update Stevenson mentioned the county was finally able to fill the Public Health Planner position with an internal candidate who will begin after the first of the year. During the time of search for this position Health, Human and Veterans Services Director Brian Buhmann and Kathy Nevins, Essentia Health DNP conducted nine meetings with local City Councils.

   It was discussed during these meetings area needs and concerns. Some highlights shared from those visits were as follows:

   • An area church in Backus is operating a sober living home in the community.

   • Federal Dam is averaging three overdose calls daily and is in need of a LUCAS device to aid in performing chest compressions until an ambulance can arrive.

Cass County Board Chairman Scott Bruns (left) accepts a plaque Mark Gossman, Cass County Land Commissioner received during the Deep Portage Annual meeting recognizing Cass County’s commitment and partnership to the Deep Portage Conservation Reserve Area. The plaque is in appreciation of the partnership that has occurred over the past 50 years. Photo by Josh Stevenson.

   • Discussed testing of students in Pine River to determine what contraband is being used and use of detectors in bathrooms.

   • Concern from Pillager regarding vape use in middle school and cannabis in high school.

   • Longville mentioned due to the cost, Narcan is not carried by EMS, plus they would like to see support for sober living. 

   • Concern about chemical uses in both Remer and Lake Shore, plus first responders in Remer feel the need for formal training to help identify what they are seeing.

   • Hackensack officials stated 25-50% of medical calls are drug related, however first responders do not carry Narcan due to potential negative reactions. Therefore, they wait for a Sheriff or ambulance, which sometime can take up to 45 minutes.

   • Walker suggested the purchase of cellphone extraction software to aid in the identification of dealers, offering Narcan free and incorporating Narcan into Nalobox with AEDs.

   Stevenson mentioned currently Cass County has received $500,000 from the first pharmaceutical companies who settled and anticipate $3.5 million over 18 years. It was also stated the tribal nations will be receiving their own settlement funding with opportunity for the county to collaborate.

  Stevenson also requested for the board to motion and approve the compensation of elected officials at an annual salary of $37,359.20, a 5% cost of living increase along with the health insurance adjustments from the salary survey conducted. The per diem payment is to remain the same as prior years at $75 per day for attendance at approved meetings. The board appointed citizen committee per diem rate will also remain the same as 2023 at $75 per day with the exception of the planning commission, which is $150 per day.

   Salaries for the elected officials County Attorney Ben Lindstrom and Sheriff Bryan Welk were also approved. They will both receive a 5% increase Jan. 1 putting Lindstrom at $162,905.60 per year and Welk at $133,473.60 per year. Welk will also receive an additional 3% increase July 1 when he moves from Step 7 to Step 8 on the county pay scale.

   Stevenson also presented the 2024 property tax levy by fund; equipment list by fund; fee schedule; published budget and the 2023 indirect cost transfers and requested the board table the approval of the 2024 revenues and expenditures by fund due to insufficient information available.

  The board approved the proposed levy with having an increase of 13.25% over the 2023 levy, for a total levy amount of $28,688,827, with the Longville Ambulance Service District property owners included, as required by state law. 

   The board approved the annual new equipment purchase list, totaling $3,389,585. Which includes computer equipment and software, office furniture, vehicles and equipment maintenance agreements. Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk questioned why the sheriff’s department was requesting $400,000 towards land purchase, which was explained the department is currently out of evidence storage space. Stevenson mentioned the City of Backus recently had a building become vacant and offered to sell it to the county for this purpose.

   Stevenson also presented an updated fee schedule for 2024 to be approved by the board. One correction was mentioned over a previous version as there was typographical error and construction materials were not updated properly. 

   In other business, the county board:

   • Approved extending the contract for services with Abdo Financial Services through Jan. 31, 2024.

   • Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Cass County and all six local unions regarding wages and health insurance.

   • Approved updates to the Cass County Personnel Rules and Policies as presented.

   • Approved the Voting Operations, Technology and Election Resources funding agreement with local cities and townships in the amount of $2,695.70 to offset the cost of ballots in 2024.

   • Heard an update regarding election laws, the 2024 election calendar, precinct polling changes for 2024, and information regarding absentee voting.

   • Approved production of the 2024 Annual Newsletter with information regarding the 2024 elections, upcoming road construction projects, Soil &  Water Conservation District services and emerald ash borer.

   • Approved the Eagle Country ATV and Snowmobile Club pavilion project on county land on the North side of the Soo Line Trail contingent upon non-county funding and obtaining all necessary permits.

   • Was presented a plaque from Deep Portage Learning Center in recognition and appreciation for 50 years of partnership by Land Commissioner Mark Gossman.

   • Adopted a resolution supporting Cass County requesting Minnesota Department of Transportation conducting a traffic study on County Road 151 near Cass Lake.

   • Heard the Minnesota Department of Transportations speed study results concerning County State Aid Highway 5 and the new recommended speed limits along the corridor.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker; commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus and the joint meeting with The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024 at Cedar Lakes Casino & Hotel, 626 Upper Cass Frontage Rd. NW, Cass Lake.

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