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   BACKUS — Cass County Commissioners met Tuesday, Dec. 16 for the last regular meeting of 2025. It was a routine meeting with commissioners approving compensation and contracts for elected officials and some employees. 

   County Administrator Josh Stevenson requested for the board to motion and approve the compensation of elected officials at an annual salary of $40,403.97, which was stated as being consistent with the budget and the 3% cost of living increase. The per diem payment is to remain the same as prior years at $75 per day for attendance at approved meetings. The board appointed citizen committee per diem rate will also remain the same as 2025 at $75 per day with the exception of the planning commission, which is $150 per day.

   Salaries for the elected officials County Attorney Ben Lindstrom and Sheriff Bryan Welk were also approved. They will both receive a 3% increase Jan. 1 putting Lindstrom at $176,196.80 per year and Welk at $152,755.20 per year. Lindstrom and Welk will also receive an additional increase July 1 when they move steps on the county pay scale. Lindstrom will move from step 10 to 11 with a salary adjustment to $181,313.60 and Welk will receive a salary adjustment to $157,144.00 when he moves from step nine to step ten.

   Stevenson also presented Labor Contract renewals for Non-Union Personnel and Teamsters General Local No. 346. All proposed contracts are for a three year period with a 3% cost of living adjustment and 3% steps. It was also noted a Step 11 was added to the salary grade table and the longevity was reduced to five years of service. Otherwise, the major changes in the contracts was grammar to include wording considering paid safe and sick leave and the new payroll tax for paid family medical leave.

   Chief Financial Officer Becky Toso presented the 2026 property tax levy by fund; revenues and expenditures by fund; unorganized levy, revenues and expenditures for 2026; 2025 fund 71 year-end transfers; 2026 equipment list; fee schedule and published budget.

  The board approved the proposed levy with having an increase of 11.98% over the 2025 levy, for a total levy amount of $35,331,743 with the Longville Ambulance Service District property owners included, as required by state law. 

   The board approved the annual new equipment purchase list, totaling $3,668,140. Which includes computer equipment and software, office furniture, vehicles and equipment maintenance agreements. 

   Toso also presented an updated fee schedule for 2025 to be approved by the board. Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk asked for clarification regarding a new fee under the Liquor, beer and miscellaneous license fees for Sunday sales. County Auditor-Treasurer Lisa Shadick stated this is not a separate form businesses fill out it would just be a separate box they would check on the current for to request allowance to sell liquor on Sunday’s. It was also mentioned in the past the county has not charged businesses for this, but in talking with neighboring counties this is a fee that they charge. Gaalswyk didn’t feel this fee was necessary therefore he made a motion to adopt the 2026 fee schedule as amended with the removal of the Sunday sales fee, the motion was seconded and approved unanimously. All other items presented by Toso were approved unanimously.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Approved a motion to deny funding for the Opioid Fund applications submitted by Generation O, Goldie Health Inc., Leech Lake Health and Safety, and Inmar Rx Solutions. Funding was approved as submitted for Peacemakers Resources in the amount of $45,000 and Celebrate Recovery–Northwood Church in the amount of $25,000. The board also approved $25,000 for Burlington Recovery Home, restricted to home improvements only, and $18,000 for Lighthouse Beginnings, restricted to travel expenses only.

   • Approved the Municipal Solid Waste and Recycling contracts with DemCon/General Waste in the amount of $72.38 per ton which includes tip fee and transportation and is a cost savings of 22.79% from the current contracted rate and would be an annual savings of approximately $427,400.

   • Approved the 2026 Aquatic Invasive Species annual budget in the amount of $511,540.

   • Approved a quote from JTA Builders LLC/WDSI for jail lock improvements in thee Law Enforcement Center in the amount of $99,500.

   • Approved an estimate in the amount of $3,550 from RW Electric for providing electrical connections to the new jail lock improvements.

   • Approved final payment in the amount of $1,940,672.52 to Northern Paving, Inc. for road construction on County State Aid Highway 10, 21, 206 and 207 and County Road 142.

   • Approved the application to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for an easement across State land with the reconstruction of County Road 161.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker; commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus.

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