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  BACKUS — After 19 years of service as Cass County Commissioner, Jeff Peterson attended his last meeting in the official capacity of Commissioner.

   Commissioner Board Chair Neal Gaalswyk presented a plaque of service to Peterson at the Tuesday, Dec. 17 Cass County board meeting. Gaalswyk thanked Peterson for his years of dedication to the citizens of Cass County and recognized that Peterson always made decisions that were in the best interest of the citizens.

   County Administrator Josh Stevenson requested for the board to motion and approve the compensation of elected officials at an annual salary of $39,227.16, which was stated as being consistent with the budget and the 5% cost of living increase. 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 2024 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 $171,059.20 per year and Welk at $144,144 per year. Welk will also receive an additional increase July 1 when he moves from Step 8 to Step 9 on the county pay scale.

   Chief Financial Officer Becky Toso presented the 2025 property tax levy by fund; revenues and expenditures by fund; unorganized levy, revenues and expenditures for 2025; 2024 fund 71 year-end transfers; 2025 equipment list; fee schedule and published budget.

  The board approved the proposed levy with having an increase of 9.98% over the 2024 levy, for a total levy amount of $31,553,183 with the Longville Ambulance Service District property owners included, as required by state law. 

   The board approved the annual new equipment purchase list, totaling $3,171,994. Which includes computer equipment and software, office furniture, vehicles and equipment maintenance agreements. 

   Toso also presented an updated fee schedule for 2025 to be approved by the board. It was requested the board approve the fee schedule with a correction regarding the Out of County Recycling fee. Stevenson mentioned after the previous County meeting, a meeting was requested with Crow Wing County to discuss the fees. Therefore, it was suggested the fee remain at $107.29/ton until a joint solid waste meeting is held, which is anticipated to happen during the month of January. After the two counties meet, along with waste haulers, a recommended increase will be made to the commissioners with possible implementation March 1. 

   The board approved the fee schedule unanimously with the Out of County Recycling fee remaining at the $107.20/ton. All other items presented by Toso were approved unanimously.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Established a public hearing regarding the creation of a special taxing district for the Walker Ambulance Public Service during the regular County Board meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus.

   • Adopted a resolution agreeing to act as sponsoring agency for the project identified as the Bike & Pedestrian Improvements - Trunk Highway 371/Trunk Highway/34 Project seeking Transportation Alternatives Funding and approved a letter of support for the project.

   • Approved production of the 2025 Annual Newsletter with information regarding upcoming road construction projects, online public land sale information and Commissioner information and meeting information.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker; commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus.

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