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   WALKER— Cass County Board of Commissioners approved a preliminary tax levy increase of 9.98% above the 2024 final levy at the regular meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 3. This will be a total increase of $2,864,356 levy dollars over the 2024 final levy. This increase is less than the prior year increase of 13.25% and is necessary in order for the county to maintain a 40% - 50% balance of the budgeted general fund as agreed upon through the board.

   County Administrator Josh Stevenson informed the board the citizen budget committee held two meetings with the results of the first meeting resulting in a 13.30% increase over the 2024 final levy. The committee then held a second meeting to review potential increases and decreases to the proposed budget and equipment list for 2025. 

   Stevenson stated the net tax capacity increases for new construction and values are projected to have an increase of 6.66% to the estimated tax capacity. Therefore, with a preliminary levy of 9.98% the county would create an estimated tax capacity rate of 23.05% in 2025 which is an increase from 22.35% in 2024. It was also mentioned, given some departments have consistent openings, a decision was made to not levy for a portion of these salary expenses.

   Executive Director of Mississippi Headwaters board Tim Terrill shared an update with the board by sharing who they are and projects they have completed and working on. Terrill stated most citizens think the Mississippi Headwaters is a non-profit organization, but in fact it is a regulatory agency that uses regulatory and voluntary actions to protect the Mississippi River and assist counties in securing non-regulatory grants to accomplish their goals.

   Mississippi Headwaters is composed of the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River and lies within the following counties: Cass, Morrison, Crow Wing, Aitkin, Itasca, Hubbard, Beltrami and Clearwater. Some of the projects Mississippi Headwaters has assisted with are short Aquatic Invasive Species videos on social media to inform the public and assist in training and providing signage along the Mississippi River for recreational purposes. Terrill informed the board when citizens are traveling the Mississippi River there are signs along the route that have QR codes that can be scanned to track their location on Google maps. This allows people to enjoy a three or five hour day trip along the Mississippi River and helps them navigate entrance and exit locations.

   Board Chair Neal Gaalswyk asked how the funding for the projects  are obtained. Terrill replied that each county contributes money, which was the Mississippi Headwaters Board just requested an increase of $1,500 for a total of $3,000 per year, they also request money from the State of Minnesota and apply for grants. A recent project completed in Baxter, located behind Fleet Farm off State Highway 371, was an old golf course. This project was funded by money secured through Enbridge, the City of Baxter and Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Re-Appointed Mark Peterson as Cass County Assessor for another four-year term.

   • Approved updating the abatement policy with added verbage stating “The abatement is over $10,000 and the County has not provided a 20-day notice of the abatement application to the school district and municipality” in order to meet Minnesota statutory requirements.

   • Heard a summary of the primary election results with Elections Administrator Pam Smith stating voter turnout for Cass County was only 16% compared to 32% in 2020.

   • Approved the final payment for upgrading guardrails on all county concrete bridges and fixing damaged guardrails along County State Aid Highway 5 in the amount of $296,100.50 to H&R Construction.

   • Heard a construction update from Highway Engineer Darrick Anderson regarding County State Aid Highway 77, County Road 18 and Ah Gwah Ching Rd.

   The next meetings are as follows: 9/11 Observance, 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Veterans Podium, Courthouse Lawn, Walker;  AMC Fall Policy Conference, Sept. 11-13 at Arrowwood Conference Center, Alexandria; commissioner’s board meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Hiram Township Townhall, 5814 36th St NW, Akeley and commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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