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   WALKER—  County Administrator Josh Stevenson asked the board for a motion to adopt a resolution to establish an initial board business plan for the Walker ambulance primary service area special taxing district at the Feb. 4th regular meeting. This request is the next necessary step after both Cass County and Hubbard County board of commissioners approved establishing the district. 

   Stevenson stated after this resolution is approved three commissioners will need to be appointed to the Walker Ambulance Committee of the Board along with two commissioners from Hubbard County. After the board is established they can make any adjustments to the business plan as they see fit. 

   The three commissioners that volunteered to sit on the board were Commissioners Rusty Lilyquist, Scott Bruns and Board Chair Rick Haaland. Stevenson informed the board that since this is a new board there is no funding source and no per diems and mileage have been established. Recommendation was to pay the already established per diem and mileage, however with no funding source for approximately 18 months an operation loan may need to be established to cover expenses. It was also noted even though the contract with the City of Walker for the current contractor expires the end of June, the new special taxing district won’t begin until January 1, 2026. Stevenson stated the current contractor has been informed of this situation and will conduct business as normal until Jan. 1, 2026.

   The board unanimously approved the resolution to establish a business plan and the three commissioners to the committee of the board. 

   In other business, the county board:

   • Chief Financial Officer Becky Toso was recognized for one year of service with a pin and card.

   • Established a public hearing for updates to the 2025 fee schedule during the Feb. 18 regular meeting to be held in Backus, which include short-term rental ordinance fees and increased out-of-county recycling fees.

   • Approved the 2025 Cass County newsletter and authorized it to be distributed with property tax statements.

   • Approved the donation of a parcel of approximately 40 acres from Northern Waters Land Trust located in Hiram Township and updating the abstract with a cost not to exceed $2,000.

   • Approved final payment for aggregate surfacing in various locations for the amount of $498,785.60.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus; AMC Legislative Conference, Wednesday, Feb. 26 through Thursday, Feb. 27 at The Intercontinental Hotel, 11 East Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul and 2025 NACO Legislative Conference, Saturday, Mar. 1 through Tuesday, Mar. 4 at Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Mar. 4 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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