---

   BACKUS—With two public hearings on the agenda the Tuesday, Jan. 21 regular commissioner’s meeting was well attended. Board Chair Rick Haaland opened the first public hearing for public comment, regarding establishing a special taxing district for the Walker ambulance primary service area, at 9:05 a.m.

   Currently the City of Walker provides ambulance service to an area within both Cass County and Hubbard County. With rising costs the City of Walker will discontinue funding ambulance service to this area. Therefore, to continue providing emergency medical services to the area both Cass and Hubbard County will need to create a Special Taxing District for the Walker Ambulance Primary Service Area. This would be similar to the Longville area Ambulance District, however with the area covering two counties a board would be established to consist of three commissioners from Cass County and two commissioners from Hubbard County. Cass County has a larger area affected by this special district, therefore would have an extra voice at the table. 

   There were two individuals that spoke during the public hearing with citizen Reno Wells stating the area needs an ambulance service and expressed support of the proposed resolution. Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk asked if the resolution was just to start the process and cost would be brought before the board during a future meeting. County Administrator Josh Stevenson confirmed Gaalswyk’s question and stated currently a similar resolution is being considered by the Hubbard County Commissioners. If both resolutions are approved, Stevenson stated the next steps would be to establish a board and place an advertisement for bids from ambulance providers. Currently North Memorial Health provides service to the area. Gaalswyk also inquired who would be responsible for receiving questions regarding the imposed taxes and if it would be talked about at the counties truth in taxation meeting. Stevenson stated since this would be a joint board between the two counties a separate truth in taxation meeting would be held for those taxpayers. 

   A motion was made to adopt the resolution by Commissioner Rusty Lilyquist, with Commissioner Scott Bruns seconding, and all commissioners approving.

   The second public hearing was in regards to the short-term rental ordinance. With several citizens in attendance, there was some representing private dwellings and some representing resorts. Steve Grosland, an Inguadona resident, stated he has a cabin and periodically rents it out to offset costs. He also mentioned he recognizes the need for the ordinance, but feels it should be taken into consideration that there are renters out there that have never had an issue and there should be a longer license option for those that have not had any complaints. 

   Another private renter, Randy Miller, stated he is in favor of protecting the environment and the purpose of the ordinance, but stated if the ordinance is passed he would no longer rent out his cabin. Therefore, no extra income would be brought into the county and area businesses through some of these renters.

   On the other side of the debate, resort owner Jim Woischke stated there needed to be balance and fairness between the private dwellings and resorts in order for resorts to continue to function. He is in support of the ordinance being passed.

   Haaland then closed the public hearing and asked for a motion and further discussion between the commissioners. A motion was made by Gaalswyk, seconded by Commissioner Bob Kangas. Lilyquist expressed concern with many resorts closing over the past several years and private short-term rentals filling in the gap, if an ordinance were to be passed it would eliminate those rentals. He also stated he feels the county is over stepping with there being less than 2% complaints regarding short-term rentals.

   Gaalswyk shared his appreciation for the hard work of the planning commission and appreciated the revisions to the ordinance. The motion was approved on a four to one vote with Lilyquist opposing. 

   In the last order of business on the agenda, County Engineer Darrick Anderson asked the board to approve a resolution for a highway right of way  on the county state aid highway 22 project near Cass Lake. Kangas motioned, Bruns seconded, with all approving.

   The next meetings are as follows: Joint meeting with The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, 12 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 at Cedar Lakes Casino & Hotel, 6268 Upper Cass Frontage Rd NW, Cass Lake; commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker; AMC Drainage Conference, Tuesday, Feb. 4 through Thursday, Feb. 6 at Arrowwood Conference Center, 2100 Arrowwood Lake NW, Alexandria; 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.

---