Cass County Department heads deliver annual reports

By Kyndra Johnson

of the Press-Citizen

   BACKUS — Cass County department heads met for the county’s annual planning meeting Friday, June 25 and shared the market trends of 2021, a legislative update and any foreseeable issues for 2022. Most department heads noted the increased amount of traffic in the area and the challenges that it is bringing, from increase in values of property, increase in traffic on the roads and trails, to increases in the county’s local option sales tax revenue.

   The following are departmental reports:

   American Rescue Plan Act

   County Administrator Josh Stevenson shared information with the county commissioners and department heads about the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Stevenson mentioned Cass County is going to be receiving around $5.75 million, which is going to be split into five separate categories. $1.25 million is going to be used for county public service projects; $1.2 million for direct cash assistance for businesses and non-profits, to be distributed in $4,000; $6,000 and $8,000 amounts; $1.5 million for infrastructure such as drinking water, wastewater and broadband for currently underserved or unserved; $925,000 for home health and learning and $900,000 as other qualified uses and needs after 2021. 

   Darrick Anderson, County Engineer, asked if roads were included in the infrastructure category and if this was a county or federal list of requirements. Stevenson stated this is a list from the federal government on what is acceptable and currently roads are not included in the infrastructure category, but there is talk that more money may be coming that will cover roads.

   Stevenson also mentioned that townships and cities were getting their own grants to give out and the county is encouraging those governments to apply for the funds, even if they feel they can’t use them, as they could partner up with the county to utilize those funds.

   Sheriff

   Sheriff Tom Burch stated that recreational vehicle use, both all-terrain vehicles and boats, is still increasing and still causing more accidents along with more complaints of in-proper use on roadways, destruction of property, boats creating wakes due to excessive speeds and area lakes being over crowded. Burch also mentioned that there has been an increase in assaults on peace officers and the perpetrators are being released without bail. Therefore, they are not being held responsible for their actions. 

   One issue Burch sees for the department in 2022 is finding qualified citizens willing to work for the department. Currently the department is short staffed and the job pool is extremely low due to people either not wanting to work in law enforcement or not wanting to leave their current position at another department, even though Cass County is a great county to work for. Burch also mentioned even though his staff has done an excellent job with de-escalating situations revolving around the Enbridge pipeline, the next few weeks are speculated to be a challenge.

   Administrator

   Joshua Stevenson shared in his report that although the county is experiencing growing pains the staff seems to be balancing out the service delivery to the public. Some staff were able to embrace working from home during the past 18 months, while others still came to the county building to work. Stevenson mentioned all county buildings are open to the public and citizens are able to walk in again like they did before Covid.

   One issue Stevenson sees for 2022 is with real estate sales increasing, the valuations of property has increased for all properties resulting in almost doubling of property taxes for everybody. Another issue is the influx of people moving into the area from the Metro and the diverse blend of people in the area. Also, Stevenson mentioned after the recent census there was a population growth which will more than likely lead to a change in Commissioner districts. More information on this is to come in the next couple of months.

   Assessor

   Assessor Mark Peterson reported property market values continue to rise, with the county’s overall estimated market value up over five percent excluding new construction.

   New construction value is up 30 percent, new home starts are up 24 percent, real estate sales are up 72 percent for the first quarter of 2021 and foreclosures were noted to be down 33 percent for the first quarter.

   In legislative activity, it was noted that a classification change for short-term vacation rentals was made which changed the assessment for 2021. Currently there are no tax bills for the current legislative session, but there is the possibility of a date change for homestead applications to being due on Dec. 31 instead of Dec. 15.

   Peterson informed the board that the three new employees hired this past year have almost completed there required training and licensure. It was mentioned it is hard to find qualified and licensed people to apply for these positions which is costing the county more money by having to pay for the training. 

   County Attorney

   Attorney Ben Lindstrom reported that there is still a backlog on litigation cases, but the department is working their way through those cases. One thing noted was with the capability of attending hearings by Zoom, people are now contesting their tickets, rather than just paying the ticket because they didn’t want to drive to fight it.

   Lindstrom shared there has been many staffing changes in the department, but this has allowed the department to make some necessary changes by operating on a more paperless basis. It was noted the previous staff was reluctant to make those necessary changes, but with new staff beginning this is the way they are learning. Case management needed to be done in a more electronic matter in order for everyone to be able to have adequate access to files, plus law enforcement is generating more data for each case in a more digital world.

   A few issues to work on for 2022 Lindstrom mentioned was working with law enforcement to more efficiently process cases and work with other agencies to avoid duplication of services.

   Central Services

   Director Tom Buhl shared that network security still remains a top priority and staff is continuously monitoring the server and upgrading the firewalls to make sure they are not compromised. 

   The issues for 2022 Buhl foresees involves budgeting and the increased costs to secure and maintain the network infrastructure and maintain and upgrade older County buildings. It was noted that the current ARPA funding will help with some of these expenses. 

   Chief Financial Officer

   Sandra Norikane reported the county is benefiting from it’s Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). In 2020 the tax was up by 14.8 percent at $2.3 million and currently through the end of March it is up $210,000. Norikane also mentioned the 2020 CARES Act grant suppported 58 local businesses with the average grant being $32,000. With the lowest grant amount being $900 and the largest being $208,000. The county then awarded a total of 198 grants with the 2021 State COVID grant in the amounts of $2,000; $3,000 and $4,000.

   In a legislative update, Norikane shared information on the Enbridge tax case and mentioned that the counties may not have to payback the taxes as the payback is now currently proposed in the state’s budget. 

   Norikane mentioned that the county’s insurance program was going to be re-evaluated in 2022 with a possible rate increase for employees and retires. Another issue for 2022 is to try to maintain a reasonable levy request.

   Court Administration

   Kayla Litter mentioned that beginning July 6 jury trials will be back to normal, with courtrooms being set up like before covid protocols were put in place, and masks will no longer be required in courtrooms. There is still a back log of cases due to the pandemic, but the department has chipped away at those cases and will hopeful to be caught up by the end of summer.

   Litter also mentioned that Judge Halverson is no longer going to be chambered in Cass County and Judge Strandlie will be chambered there instead beginning July 1.

   It was also noted, civil cases are beginning to be processed again, but evictions are still on hold due to a mandate from Governor Walz. 

   Environmental Services

   Director John Ringle reported that planning and zoning activities are up 45 percent over last year’s first five months. While solid waste activity is up 23 percent over last year’s first five months. 

   With all of these increases in the area, the department is seeing an uptick in the overloading of property, shorelines and septics. With more people in the area there are people placing campers on property next to shorelines, trying to divide up already small portions of property and overloading the septic systems in current use.

   The biggest concern for the department going into 2022 is the continuation of community recycling. Currently the Town of Walker has lost it’s host and are looking for a new location. Also, the county is seeing an increase in the recycling of cardboard due to more people on-line shopping, though a positive is that cardboard prices have increased also, but it is not a huge money maker for the county.

   Health, Human, Veterans Services

   Director Michele Piprude shared concerns of elevated levels of adverse adult mental health conditions and substance abuse due to Covid and the isolation. It was noted Cass county already had a high rate of substance abuse and it got worse during this past year.

   One issue going into 2022 is the financial strain linked to increased commitments for competency to stand trail issues. It was stated that if the court feels that somebody needs to be evaluated to see if they are fit to stand trial, the state pays for the cost until a judgment is determined. After that judgment, if the person still needs to be hospitalized the county is then required to pay for the fees which is around $1,500 per day.

   Another issue involves the children in the county and the truancy and educational neglect. Due to covid numerous kids have fallen behind in school. Therefore, a survey has been sent out to various people with in the county, for instance: school administration, school boards, teachers and others.

   Highway

   County Engineer Darrick Anderson reported the 2021 county state highway funding program is at a loss of $260,000 for construction and $173,000 for maintenance. It was noted that traffic usage is up and the use of the roads is what determines how much money the county receives from the state in funding.  

   In the legislative update, Anderson shared the county was awarded $700,000 in 2020 for the County Highway 1 and 44 project and was awarded $1.25 million in 2021 for the County Highway 37 project. Also, the LOST is projected to exceed $2.4 million in construction projects.

   Moving forward there is project development for larger projects on CSAH 37 in 2022, which is going to be bid this winter, and CSAH 70 in 2023, which is expected to bid in the fall of 2022.

   The highway department continues to look for ways to partner with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, U.S. Forest Service, townships, cities and neighboring counties.

   Human Resources

   Kelsey Schwartz, payroll and benefits and human resources official, shared with the board that over the past year the remote work provided opportunities for health care accommodations for staff.  Schwartz also stated that most unemployment claims last year were for prior employees.

   The 2022 issues are going to involve getting the new payroll/Human Resources system implemented and getting ready for labor negotiations for 2023 as current contracts are up in 2022.

   Land

   Land Commissioner Kirk Titus reported tax forfeit land sales showed record sales in 2020 and sales in 2021 are already at 75 percent of last years sales. Titus also reported timber sales are still selling at retail, but are starting to retreat some. It was also shared that the rumor of a OSB mill opening in the area was confirmed for the Cohasset area, although this is not in Cass County, it will still be good for the county and eventually bring in numerous jobs. 

   Titus reported he, too, has seen an increase in recreational trails use which is resulting in increased maintenance for the area volunteer clubs.

   Some issues Titus continues to monitor is the threatened and endangered species of the Northern Long Eared Bat, Monarch Butterflies and the rusty patched bumblebee.

   Probation

   Director Jim Schneider stated that there is an increased number of pretrial offenses, but the number of juvenile and adult supervised cases remain constant. The department continues to work on addiction issues, but chemical dependency and mental health issues continue to be driving factors in the criminal justice system.

   With the State of Minnesota stating that they were going to charge the county if they don’t increase their case load, beginning July 1 the county will increase their case load and begin processing misdemeanors. An issue Schneider sees with the increase of case loads is ensuring the fidelity of evidence-based practices.

   Recorder

   Recorder Katie Norby reported remotely that volumes of documents and e-recordings are up, while interest rates are relatively low and stable. However, interest rates are expected to begin slowly increasing the end of this year. It was also stated that currently the amount of properties for sale are low. 

   With the legislature allowing counties to accept electronic documents the Minnesota County Recorders Association is researching how the county recorders can provide certified copies online.

   2022 budget schedules

   Cass County’s five citizen appointees and two county commissioners (budget committee) will receive departmental requests and prepare a proposed 2022 county budget and levy this summer.

   The county board then sets a preliminary levy in September before the budget committee makes additional budget changes in October. The board will hold a public hearing before adopting a final budget and levy in December.

   That schedule is as follows:

   • Aug. 13, 20 and 27 — Budget committee reviews requests and prepares the preliminary budget and levy,

   • Sept. 7 — County Board sets preliminary levy,

   • Oct. 8 and 15 — Budget committee makes additional budget changes,

   • November 12-24 — Truth in taxation notices mailed to taxpayers,

   • Dec. 9 — Public hearing on proposed budget,

   • Dec. 21 — County board sets final levy and budget.