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   WALKER— County Administrator Josh Stevenson shared the summer meeting schedule with the board during the regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7. The summer “Road Show” will be as follows: May 19 at May Township, with a road revocation on the agenda; June 16 at Ponto Lake Township; July 21 at Turtle Lake Township, with a road revocation on the agenda; August 18 at Pike Bay Township, with a road revocation on the agenda and September 15 at Fairview Township. The board approved the meeting schedule unanimously.

   Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation Manager Dana Gutzmann reported 2025 was another active year working with landowners, municipalities and partner agencies to protect natural resources across the county.

   With support from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy, the district focused on water quality, soil health and long-term land stewardship.

   Gutzmann stated staff completed 279 technical site visits throughout the year, working directly with property owners to plan and implement conservation practices. It was also mentioned agricultural best management practices were implemented on 1,512 acres to reduce nutrient runoff, while five abandoned wells were sealed to protect groundwater.

   Forestry efforts included 27 stewardship plans covering more than 2,700 acres, supporting programs such as the Sustainable Forest Incentive Act, stated Gutzmann. In addition, 16 conservation easements were initiated, permanently protecting 976 acres and 15,000 feet of shoreline along with eight shoreline restoration projects adding protection for another 812 feet.

   Water quality and habitat connectivity projects were also completed, including a fish passage improvement reconnecting 54 miles of the Boy River through modifications at the outlet of Girl Lake. Gutzmann also mentioned there was a partnership with the City of Walker to upgrade two plow trucks for brine application to reduce road salt impacts.

   A final highlight given by Gutzmann was the recognition of local conservation leaders. Kathy Wagner earned statewide honors from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Flying W Ranch advanced to area-level recognition and a new Lake Steward Program on Birch Lake recognized 43 property owners for maintaining natural shorelines.

   A more detailed summary, including maps and photos, is available in the district’s full 2025 annual report at www.casscountymn.gov.

   Gutzmann also requested the board adopt a resolution approving the Mississippi River Headwaters Watershed fiscal year 2026/2027 workplan and budget. The board adopted the resolution unanimously.

   In other business, the county board: 

   • Recognized the following employees for one year of service with Cass County: Courland Chase, Technical Support Specialist; Jacey Christopherson, Staff Appraiser I and Jennifer Franks, Deputy Recorder.

   • Established a public hearing for the second reading and final adoption of the Land Use Ordinance during the regular Tuesday, May 5 board meeting.

   • Awarded the Deep Portage carpet replacement project to MCI Carpet One for the amount of $13,673.45.

   • Approved the 2025 fourth quarter budget amendments.

   • Approved increasing the fund balance commitment for Compensated Absences by $135,000 from the General Fund unassigned fund balance. 

   • Established a public hearing for the revocation of County Road 102 and County Road 104 to May Township during the Tuesday, May 19 meeting in May Township.

   • Awarded the bid for Maintenance Striping to Sir Lines-A-Lot, LLC in the amount of $339,647.64.

   • Awarded the bid for Gravel Surfacing to DLL Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $238,771.80.

   The next meetings are as follows: Walker Ambulance Service District Board meeting, 2 p.m. Friday, Apr. 17 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker; commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Apr. 21 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, May. 5 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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