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   BACKUS—The Cass County Commissioners heard some concerns during the public hearing held in conjunction with the regular commissioner’s board meeting on Tues., Nov. 5. The public hearing held was in regards to the proposed Short-Term Rental ordinance.

   Environmental Director Jeff Woodford and County Planner Scott Wold shared information regarding the proposed ordinance. It was noted the goal and purpose of this ordinance is to regulate short-term rental units by mitigating possible impacts to the health, safety, welfare and quality of life of surrounding properties as well as water and environmental quality. Many concerns were voiced from citizens during the meeting regarding the extra costs to be incurred by the owners of these properties. If this ordinance were approved it would require all short-term rental units acquire a license in order to operate on a yearly basis. Wold stated the application fees would be structured on a tier based on occupancy of the unit with minimal amounts being charged. It was mentioned these fees are not meant to make the county money, but to assist in covering the cost the county will incur processing the applications. 

   Some of the other concerns discussed during the meeting were in regards to complaints and the possibility of loosing their license and the parking definition and guests not being allowed to be shuttled in to the premises. A motion was made by Commissioner Jeff Peterson to refer the ordinance back to the planning commission to make revisions based off of feed back from the public hearing, with another public hearing to be scheduled after revisions are made. Commissioner Bob Kangas seconded the motion with all members approving unanimously. 

   The board also heard from County Administrator Josh Stevenson regarding a report back from the Citizens Budget Committee. After providing information from the Citizens Budget Committee and reviewing the draft fee schedule, Stevenson asked for a motion to establish the Truth in Taxation public hearing - 2025 Budget and Cass County Fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, to be held December 5, 2024, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Board Room, Walker MN. Commissioner Rick Haaland made the motion and Commissioner Peterson seconded the motion. During discussion, Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk moved to amend the motion to include removing the Veteran and Senior Transportation fees from the fee schedule as presented. Commissioner Kangas seconded. When the question was called, it was a unanimous decision to approve the motion as amended to establish the Truth in Taxation public hearing - 2025 Budget and Cass County Fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, to be held December 5, 2024, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Board Room, Walker MN and remove the Veteran and Senior Transportation fees from the draft fee schedule as presented. 

   In other business, the county board:

   •  Recognized Paul Sarun, County Agency Social Worker; Dustin Caldwell, Eligibility Worker; Travis Baker, Deputy Sheriff and Nathaniel Adkins, Motor Equipment Operator for having one year of service with Cass County.

   • Approved the Association of Minnesota Counties appointments and voting delegates for 2024.

   • Approved awarding the contract for the hauling of municipal solid waste, recyclables and tires to Stockman Trucking, LLC effective Jan. 1, 2025 and give notice to cancel the current contract with McAllister Trucking, Inc. effective Dec. 31, 2024.

   • Received the 10-year business plan regarding Environmental and Solid Waste.

   • Approved the Leech Lake Health and Safety grant application for $50,000 and denied the Blue Water Retreat grant application as submitted with a request for a new application to be submitted in the amount not to exceed $50,000 and no county property ownership, with Commissioner Rick Haaland opposing.

   • Awarded the Health, Human & Veterans Services 2000 addition condensing unit replacement to Peterson Sheet Metal in the amount of $119,000.

   • Approved the service agreement with Erickson Engineering Co., LLC to begin replacing the snowmobile bridge in Section 35 of Ponto Lake Township subject to perpetual agreements with three private landowners.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus and commissioner’s board meeting 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, followed by a public hearing for the 2024 Cass County Fee Schedule and Budget and Property Tax levy beginning at 6 p.m. at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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