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   BACKUS—  Probation Director Jim Schneider shared an award received by a Cass County employee  during the regular commissioner’s board meeting Tues., Aug. 6. Cass County Probation Officer Rachel Deck received the award of “Rookie of the Year” at the Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers (MACPO) annual conference. This award is given to a probation officer who has demonstrated abundant potential and professionalism early in their career and where the recipient presents a strong desire to learn on the job, participates in a variety of training opportunities, demonstrates enthusiasm and a positive attitude, and works collaboratively with other more experienced probation officers. Deck is currently assigned to supervise clients in the Cass County/Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Wellness Court.

   The commissioners then heard from citizen Allen Lysdahl regarding a grass roots movement he is initiating called “One County One Senator One Minnesota.” The basis for this movement is due to not all counties within Minnesota having a voice in the Minnesota Senate. Lysdahl would like to see each county having only one Senator, therefore, all counties, especially rural counties, having a voice. Currently Lysdahl is attending county board meetings to share this information and grow support. For more information on this movement you can follow the One County One Senator Facebook page.

   County 4-H Extension Educator Brooke Remer shared a report with the commissioners regarding the unique experience of 4-H, 2023-2024 membership and county fair participants within Cass County. Remer mentioned in 2022 the dog training program within 4-H had shifted to Cass County having their own program as opposed to sharing with Crow Wing County. The first year there was seven participants and has grown to fourteen last year and sixteen this year.

Board Chair Neal Gaalswyk congratulated Cass County Probation Officer Rachel Deck for receiving the Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers Rookie Agent of the Year Award at the Commissioners meeting. Photo by Josh Stevenson.

   Remer informed the board total membership within Cass County is up to 140 with 74 new members joining during the year. There are eight community clubs and three recurring after school and summer programs supported by 31 volunteers within Cass County currently Remer stated. The fair this year saw 67 of these members showcasing 587 judged exhibits, with 27 of them being their first year. This is 250 more exhibits than last year. Remer also mentioned the State Dog Show was recently held and there was an additional 66 exhibits judged.

   Remer also shared out of those projects at the County Fair, 26 youth will be participating at the State Fair with seven youth sharing general projects, seven youth showing horses at the State Horse Show, four youth showing dogs at the State Dog Show and eight youth participated in the regional livestock show. 

   Board Chair Neal Gaalswyk asked, after seeing pictures of livestock during the presentation, if 4-H offered a large vet science project. He stated it is hard to find a veterinarian that services or is willing to travel to help large animals in the area. Remer stated Dr. Kyle Adkins with Country Doc Veterinary Clinic has assisted in teaching youth about small animals, but currently they do not offer anything for larger livestock. This may be an area for growth and to see if there is an interest from the youth mentioned Gaalswyk.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Recognized the following employees for one year of service, all of whom could not be in attendance: Brian Buhmann, HHVS Director; Ashley Johnson, Assessor Account Clerk II; Jenna Marlett,, Eligibility Worker and Erin Mayer, Jailer.

   • Heard a report from the personnel committee meeting and approved adding two additional County Agency Social Workers and approved the ongoing maintenance proposal from DDA Human Resources, Inc.

   • Heard a report from the Opioid settlement committee meeting and approved Public Health registering with the Naloxone Portal through the Minnesota Department of Health to access over-the-counter Naloxone at no cost for distribution to community members including those discharged from a Cass County correctional facility, publish a press release for August 21st National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day and August 31st International Overdose Awareness Day: Together We Can and support the four-box pilot project with the purchase of re-breather masks from opioid settlement fund and keeping the boxes stocked with Naloxone from the MDH Naloxone Portal.

   • Approved, on a three to one vote with Commissioner Jeff Peterson voting nay, a Forests for the Future conservation easement acquisition by the Department of Natural Resources in Cass County for private working forest land protection purposes using Reinvestment in Minnesota funding. 

   •  Approved the land exchange in section 29, township 137, range 31 between tax forfeit property and property owned by Julie M. Madison Trustee, after no comments were received during the public hearing.

   • After discussion regarding the request from McAllister Trucking MSW and Recycling to amend their contract with an increase to the mileage paid, the board made a motion to defer the request to the Solid Waste committee of the board for further discussion.

   • Approved a cost share agreement with Hubbard County for the reconstruction of County Road 83.

   • Awarded the contract for reconstruction and paving on Country Road 83 to Kern & Tabery, Inc. for $1,059,204.89.

   • Awarded the contract for grading and paving on Country Road 116 to Anderson Brothers Construction for $1,486,669.92.

   • Approved a quote from Anderson Brothers Construction in the amount of $81,042 to reconstruct the County State Aid Highway 36 west approach to Trunk Highway 210.

  The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20 at May Township Town hall, 5834 112th St. SW, Pillager and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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