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   BACKUS—Land Commissioner Mark Gossman reported a generally steady year in staffing and operations, maintaining a six-person team while continuing to manage forestry, land sales, and conservation efforts during the regular Commissioner’s meeting Tuesday, April 21.

   Gossman stated expenses followed typical patterns, with a few notable changes. It was noted salaries were increased by about 5.5 percent, and fluctuations in grant funding affected budgeting. Also, an insurance payout for a building roof replacement was recorded in 2024, while the expense was carried into 2025. Gossman mentioned the department’s largest expense remains its distribution to local taxing districts, accounting for roughly 52 percent.

   On the revenue side, aggregate material sales increased due to forestry-related stockpiling, while timber sale revenues dropped from a record $2.7 million in 2024 to about $1.7 million in 2025, largely due to timing of payments. In 2025, 39,415 cords of aspen were sold at an average of $32.54 per cord, for a total of $1,282,635. The price per cord saw another decrease over 2024 prices of approximately $2.23. The second highest timber sold was 6,479 cords of red oak for a total price of $199,327, an average of $30.77 per cord, down about $3.46 per cord. Birch was the third highest timber sold, with 4,144 cords being sold for a total of $67,628 at an average price of $16.32 per cord, down approximately $1.37 per cord. The total of all timber and pulp sales in 2025 was $1,881,259.

   Gossman shared land sale revenues continue to decline due to new legal requirements stating the county may need to repay former owners if excess value is realized after a sale. Timber markets also showed signs of softening with prices at the first 2026 auction being down. Possibly being influenced by rising diesel costs, increased supply, and market uncertainty among mills. Gossman noted the market may be trending toward a correction similar to the late-2000s downturn.

   Forestry operations also remained active, Gossman shared, with consistent permit sales and ongoing reforestation efforts. About 41,000 trees were planted in 2025, with plans for 50,000 in 2026. Additional work focused on protecting young trees from deer browsing.

   The department continues to oversee land access, road maintenance, and survey work, completing multiple projects in coordination with the highway department. It also received land donations totaling about 120 acres and continues to manage tax-forfeited land sales and related ownership claims.

   A major concern discussed was in regards to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. New standards may impose stricter requirements on contractors, raising questions about feasibility and cost. While certification supports market access for timber buyers, Gossman expressed concern about limited financial return and the potential burden on taxpayers. Gossman stated he plans to monitor upcoming audits and may reconsider participation if requirements become too restrictive.

   Overall, the department remains financially stable but is watching market conditions, legal developments, and certification changes closely as potential challenges ahead.

   For the complete Land Department Annual Report go to www.casscountymn.gov.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Approved hosting coffee, cookies and Commissioner’s on Tuesday, May 5 following the regular board meeting to honor Public Service Recognition Week.

   • Approved Letters of Support for State investment in Psychiatric Residential Treatment and Non-Secure Juvenile Facility in Clay County, which was noted as a desparate need for this service in Minnesota in order to keep juveniles inside the state of Minnesota and not have to send them to neighboring states.

   • Discussed and approved the reclassification request from Mark Kossan for his 7.5 acre parcel from residential to commercial zoning with a stipulation that if there is an application in the future to split the parcel, the Board requires that the other parcels are zoned residential to the extent allowed by law.

   • Approved final payment to DeChantal Excavating LLC in the amount of $43,970 for the tree clearing on County Road 161.

   • Awarded the contract for culvert lining/replacements, bituminous mill and overlay on County State Aid Highway 45 between Trunk Highway 371 and County State Aid Highway 5 to Anderson Brothers Construction Company for $1,356,897.75.

   • Awarded the contract for culvert lining/replacements, bituminous reclamation and bituminous paving and the construction of a new box culvert bridge over Blackwater Creek on County State Aid Highway 11 between Trunk Highway 84 and County State Aid Highway 5 to Northern Paving for $1,933,030.

   The next meetings are as follows: commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 5 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker and commissioner’s board meeting and public hearing, 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 19 at May Township, 5834 112th St. SW, Pillager.

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