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   POWERS TOWNSHIP — The weather is getting nicer and the days are getting longer, which means it is time for the county commissioners to  begin their annual “Road Show” tour. The first stop for the season was at Powers Township hall Tuesday, May 20.

   Environmental Services Department Director, Jeff Woodford presented his annual report and reported Cass County continue to see high numbers of permits and construction  activity during 2024. During 2024 the number of permits declined over the record number issued the prior year, however permit revenue saw an increase. Woodford stated this may be due to citizens building larger homes, therefore, the permit fee is larger. The majority of the permit activity was in Sylvan Township, issuing 136 permits, followed by Woodrow (134 permits), Shingobee (114 permits), Crooked Lake (98 permits) and Powers (83 permits) Townships.

   Woodford then shared information regarding aquatic invasive species inspections stating a total of 27,198 inspections were conducted over 13,944 hours during 2024 at the county level. This number of inspections was lower than 2023 along with the inspector hours being slightly lower overall. A total of 38 inspectors were contracted by Cass County this year, which is an increase of two additional inspectors. Woodford stated a total of 113 boats were stopped with plants present, five boats had zebra mussels attached and two boats were stopped with snails present.

   The review of solid waste showed the county disposed of 40,065,800 pounds of municipal solid waste, 10,483,200 pounds of recyclables and 5,339 gallons of used motor oil disposed of properly. Woodford stated municipal solid waste disposal and recyclables were lower during 2024 than previous years, but still higher than pre-covid amounts. For the full report  visit www.casscountymn.gov. 

   Two public hearings were also conducted during the meeting with the first regarding the repeal of the moratorium on electronic and digital signs. Woodford stated in July 2024 the Commissioners approved placing a moratorium on construction of digital and electronic signs until additional regulations could be reviewed and enacted. Recently the board approved the new ordinance regarding digital and electronic signs, therefore the repeal of the moratorium is a formality. County Administrator Josh Stevenson stated no public comments were received prior to the meeting and with no public comment during the public hearing the board unanimously passed the repeal of the moratorium on electronic and digital signs.

   The second public hearing conducted was in regards to the revocation of a portion of County Road 117 to Powers Township and Cass County taking ownership, and designation as a County Road, of 45th Ave NW & 16th St NW from County Road 116 to Trunk Highway 371. Stevenson stated there were also no public comments received prior to the meeting and there was no citizens in attendance with comments. Therefore, a motion was made to adopt the exchange and revocation with the motion passing unanimously.

   County Highway Engineer Darrick Anderson, requested a motion from the board regarding a joint powers agreement between the County and Powers Township. Anderson stated with the recent approval of the exchange of roads, the County is agreeing to an improvement and maintenance on County Road 117 which will be conducted in 2027 when the County is conducting a reconstruction project in the area. A motion was made and approved unanimously.

   In other business, the county board: 

   • Approved Opioid fund applications to the following: Blue Water Retreat, LLC for $50,000; Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District for $18,630; Nameless Coalition for the Homeless for $25,000; Cass Lake-Bena School District #115 for $50,000 and The Leech Lake Public Health Division for $22,500.

   • Heard a financial update from Chief Financial Officer Becky Toso with her stating the 2024 audit has begun.

   • Approved establishing the withholding percentages for reforestation and trails to remain at 20%.

   • Approved increasing fund balance commitment for Compensated Absences by $385,000 from the General Fund unassigned fund balance.

   The next meetings are as follows: commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 3 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker; AMC District 2 Meeting, 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 4 at Beltrami County Board Room, 701 Minnesota Ave NW, Ste 102, Bemidji; Annual Planning Work Session, 9 a.m. Thursday, June 12 at the Land Department Meeting Room in Backus and commissioner’s board meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 17 at Wabedo Township hall, 4742 County Rd. 54, Longville.

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