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   WALKER —  North Memorial Health EMS Relationship Specialist Kevin Lee presented the Longville ambulance third quarter report during the regular meeting Tues., Dec. 2. Lee stated volumes exceeded the budgeted amount with 308 patients needing medical assistance. However, third quarter revenues were unfavorable by $95,000 due to decreased revenue per run and not receiving budgeted funding yet. Third quarter expenses were favorable by $21,000 due to a budgeted maintenance repair still on hold. During the third quarter Brainerd was the location where most patients choose to be transported with Crosby being the next highest choice.

   Lee also reported a full-scale drill involving a simulated bus crash was held in Pine River on Sept. 19 and included the ambulance crews and AirCare.

   County Administrator Josh Stevenson shared a report back from the solid waste committee meeting that was held before Thanksgiving. The committee discussed the waste renewal contract and considered quotes from both Waste Management and Dem Con/General Waste. A recommendation was made by the committee to select an option with Waste Management, however since the meeting the county has received new proposals. Therefore, Stevenson recommended taking no action during the meeting to allow the committee to review the new proposals.

   Stevenson also shared information with the board on the cardboard recycling contracts and stated Waste Partners’ increase is 2.8% while City Sanitary and American Disposal increases are approximately 3%. The committee recommended approving all cardboard contract increases, these approvals were included on the consent agenda therefore, no separate action was taken. The final item Stevenson shared with the board was an update on the transfer station equipment, including the $164,250 purchase agreement for the 983 Loader. The committee also discussed needed Sennebogen repairs and ongoing loader rental services from Schrupp Excavating.

   A public hearing was then held for discussion regarding the extension of the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) of 0.5% through 2046. County Engineer Darrick Anderson stated LOST has served the residence of Cass County over the last ten years with the county receiving approximately $3 million annually to assist with Highway construction projects. One notation Anderson made was with the extension of the LOST tax, the department has included all county roads in the resolution so any money received can be used in the improvement of any county road, including gravel. It was also noted that currently there is approximately 330 miles of gravel roads located within Cass County, and has been previously stated that in the long-run maintenance on these roads would be less if the county were to pave them. Therefore, with the extension of LOST the county would be able to utilize some of these funds to begin the process of paving some county gravel roads. 

   With no public in attendance and no comments before the meeting due to publication of the notices, the board unanimously approved the extension of LOST through 2046.

   The truth in taxation meeting was held at 6 p.m. with a few members of the public showing up for the meeting. During the meeting Chief Financial Officer Becky Toso provided a summary of the 2026 budget process and provided proposed 2026 fee schedule changes. After the summary several members of the public expressed concern regarding how much their property taxes increased and asked questions regarding reducing more costs. Toso and Stevenson both shared numerous meetings have been held with department heads going over their expense requests, and with all of the new unfunded mandates from the Federal and State Governments there is no more cuts to be considered.

   The 2026 Cass County levy and budget will be discussed and adopted at the next regular board meeting.

   Beginning at 7 p.m. the truth in taxation meeting for the Walker Ambulance Primary Service Area Special Taxing District Board was held. One citizen was in attendance with a positive comment stating the increase in taxes wasn’t very significant as the need for ambulance service is a must in the area. 

   The 2026 Walker Ambulance Primary Service Area Special Taxing District levy and budget will be discussed and adopted at the next meeting to be held Friday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. in Walker.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Recognized the following employees for one year of service with the county: Dean Deck, Chief Deputy Treasurer/Investment Officer and Kristen Rech, Deputy Auditor-Treasurer II (Election Admin & Licensing).

   • Reviewed the Committee Application Status which will be updated at the first meeting in January.

   • Approved final payment to Asphalt Surface Technologies Corporation in the amount of $183,825 for Bituminous crack sealing on various roads throughout the county.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Land Department meeting room in Backus; Walker Ambulance Primary Service District Board meeting 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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