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   WALKER— After much discussion, Cass County Board of Commissioners approved a preliminary tax levy increase of 11.98% above the 2025 final levy at the regular meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 2. This increase is more than the prior year increase of 9.98% and is actually less than what was recommended by the citizen budget committee.

   Chief Financial Officer Becky Toso stated the citizen budget committee met Aug. 15 with all commissioners present instead of just the two appointed to the committee. Departmental requests for 2026 totaled $90,367,409, which is an increase of 1.64% over the 2025 adopted budget. With departmental requests and a decrease to the County Program Aid allocation for the State, this resulted in an initial 15.73% increase over the 2025 final levy. After more discussion within the committee, Toso stated the committee was able to reduce the preliminary tax levy recommendation to 12.98% by not levying for a portion of salary expenses for consistent open positions, using various fund balances and reducing the number of jail beds contracted with Itasca County.

   Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk stated last year his property taxes increased over 50% and after talking with the County Assessors office if the board were to approve this levy increase his property taxes would increase about another 50%. Gaalswyk stated he cannot face his constituents and tell them their property taxes are going to increase another 50% and basically double in two years. Therefore, he feels department heads need to “sharpen their pencils” and come back with more budget reductions. 

Pictured L to R: Chairman Haaland and Assistant County Attorney Jay Sommer being recognized for completing one year of service with Cass County. Photo Submitted.

   County Administrator Josh Stevenson asked if there was a dollar amount the board would like to see cut from the budget. It was stated maybe around $400,000 which in essence is only about 1%. Some of the discussed cuts during the meeting were funding to various non-profit organizations, delaying road projects or a hiring freeze. Gaalswyk also stated maybe the board needs to consider that the fund balance is too high and they need to possibly spend it down. It was also brought up the fact that Health, Human and Veteran Services is approximately half of the levy increase. Stevenson stated this is due to unfunded State mandates.

   A motion was first made to table the approval of the preliminary levy, but it was stated the preliminary levy had to be set by Sept. 30 and there was only one more regular meeting before that date. Otherwise, a special meeting would need to be held to set the preliminary levy. The board was also reminded that although they may set the preliminary levy at one amount they can reduce it for the final levy in December. Therefore, the board motioned, seconded and approved unanimously setting the preliminary tax levy at 11.98%.

   The board also heard a report back from the Insurance Committee with information for medical plan insurance carrier for 2026. Currently the county carries Blue Cross Blue Shield for employees and retirees. Recently the county contracted USI to conduct a Request for Proposal for their medical plan. It was reported that whether the county remains with the current provider as a bundled plan or switches to an unbundled plan there will be an increase in cost. If the county remains with the bundled plan under Blue Cross Blue Shield employees and the county would each pay an additional $50 - $60 per month, were if the county were to switch to an unbundled plan the cost increase to both would be approximately $30 per month. It was stated if the county was to switch to the unbundled plan USI would remain as the plan administrator and would assist all employees with any payment denials, where currently the employee has to contact the provider themselves. Another benefit to switching to an unbundled plan, Stevenson stated was the county would receive pharmacy rebates created by employees on the plan. Currently Blue Cross Blue Shield retains all pharmacy rebates of approximately $400,000 whereas, if the county were to switch to an unbundled plan the pharmacy rebates would be returned to the county and would be deposited back into the plan. 

   Stevenson stated there was no recommendation from the insurance committee due to both commissioners serving on the committee being absent. It was also mentioned if the board did not take action during the meeting the county would be forced to remain with Blue Cross Blue Shield. A motion was made by Gaalswyk to switch to the unbundled plan with UMR/UHC/SmithRx and retain USI as the consultant. Commissioner Bob Kangas seconded the motion with the motion passing unanimously.

      North Memorial Health EMS Relationship Specialist Kevin Lee was on hand to report the Longville ambulance second quarter report. Lee stated volumes were consistent with budgeted amount with 178 patients needing medical assistance. However, second quarter revenues were unfavorable by $60,000 due to decreased revenue per run and not receiving budgeted funding yet. Second quarter expenses were favorable by $28,000 due to a budgeted maintenance repair still being on hold. During the second quarter Brainerd and Crosby tied for being the location where most patients choose to be transported with Bemidji being the next highest choice. 

   In other business, the county board:

   • Recognized Jay Sommer, Assistant County Attorney, Andrea Allen, County Agency Social Worker, Johanna Bannor, Case Aide, Codee Brace, County Agency Social Worker, and Ian Frenzel, Motor Equipment Operator, for one year of service with Cass County and Brent Asell, Accounting Technician, Julia Donovan, County Agency Social Worker, Child Protection, and Jaclyn Huber, Accounting Technician, for two years of service with

Cass County.

   • Approved the removal and replacement of concrete sidewalk panels at various locations at the Courthouse and Land Department Buildings to Beach Construction LLC not to exceed $14,937.36.

   • Awarded an abatement contract to Bieniek’s Remediation Services in the amount of $17,750 for the removal of regulated material found in the Highway Department Walker office location.

   • Approved the final payment on the roadway chloride contract in the amount of $562,524.72.

   • Approved the final payment on the contract for the new alignment between Trunk Highway 34 and Trunk Highway 371 construction project to Casper Contruction for $3,844,754.94.

   • Approved a Joint Powers Agreement with May Township for the construction of Bridge 11J30 on 100th Street SW.

   The next meetings are as follows: Walker Ambulance Service District board meeting, 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8 at the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker; 9/11 Observance, 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 at Veterans Podium, Courthouse Lawn, Walker; commissioner’s board meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16 at Pine River Township, 3493 14th St. SW, Backus and commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker, 

 

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