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   MAY TOWNSHIP— Cass County Board of Commissioners approved a 15% increase on McAllister Trucking’s contracted price for hauling municipal solid waste and recyclables at the regular meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 20.

   McAllister Trucking had requested a 31% increase to their contracted price at the Aug. 6 meeting which was deferred to the Solid Waste committee of the board for further discussion. The committee met on Aug. 14 and County Administrator Josh Stevenson reported back during Tuesday’s meeting a summary of the meeting. Stevenson stated since the initial date of the contract in 2019 McAllister Trucking has already had a 21.46% increase and if the board were to authorize the requested amount that would be a 52.46% increase since 2019. In comparison of existing solid waste contracts it was noted Grinning Bear has had a 36% increase since 2019; Waste Partners recycle bins a 17.9% increase since 2019 and Waste Partners transfer station management a 29.52% increase since 2019. 

   Stevenson stated by offering a 15% increase this will serve as a bridge until the contract can be re-bid in the next 60 days. A motion was made by Commissioner Bob Kangas and seconded by Commissioner Jeff Peterson to approve the offer of a 15% increase with the motion passing unanimously.

   North Memorial Health District Chief Rob Almendinger shared an update regarding the second quarter for the Longville Ambulance services. It was reported there was a paramedic on every shift during the second quarter, which exceeds their part time Advance Life Support requirement. Almendinger also informed the board 176 patients were billed verses the budgeted amount of 151, and the amount of patients billed during the same period last year was 147. Therefore, revenues for the second quarter were favorable by $37,148 but expenses during the quarter were unfavorable due to salary expenses and increased vehicle maintenance costs. It was reported the number one hospital destination was Brainerd with 30 patients requesting to go there and 20 patients requesting to be transported to Crosby.

   Board Chair Neal Gaalswyk asked for an update regarding the mentor program, North Memorial Health EMS Relationship Specialist Kevin Lee stated the program has not panned out as hoped with applicants not being retained by the company. Lee mentioned a lot of the applicants were people testing the field and not sticking with it. However, Lee stated they are still paying for employees training.

      Environmental Services Department Director, Jeff Woodford presented a Semiannual Activity Report for the first half of 2024 for the department. Woodford shared the department has hired two new Resource Conservationist, Ryan Carlson and Aly Bergstrom. Carlson is focused on waterfront properties and forested land and has developed with 49 shoreline restoration plans. Bergstom is focusing on soil health/agricultural outreach and has assisted 11 landowners receive completed plans and cost share funding to implement soil health best management practices.

   Woodford also shared building permits are slightly down during the first half of the year, however shoreland alteration permits have increased with 77% of them being approved. This increase is thought to be due to the mild winter and widespread ice ridging that resulted. It was also noted solid waste showed the county disposed of 9,767 tons of municipal solid waste during the first half of 2024 and 1,174 tons of recyclables. Woodford stated this was a decrease in recycling of approximately 16% over the previous year and wasn’t sure if it was due to less people recycling or possibly less people in the area, however solid waste was up 5.82% over last year.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Approved a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Backus and Cass County regarding the contract for County State Aid Highway 203/Front Street N and the construction/maintenance thereof.

   • Awarded the contract for work on County State Aid Highway 203 to Young Excavating in the amount of $931,450.48.

   • Approved an agreement with Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding the reconstruction of Trunk Highway 371 and the proposed roundabout at the intersection of County State Aid Highway 5 and Front Street.

   • Approved the professional services agreement with SRF to provide IIJA grant services for County State Aid Highway 77 intersection improvements with grant money received.

   The next meetings are as follows: commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker; AMC Fall Policy Conference, Sept. 11-13 at Arrowwood Conference Center, Alexandria and commissioner’s board meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Hiram Township Townhall, 5814 36th St NW, Akeley.

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