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   PIKE BAY TOWNSHIP— The Cass County Board of Commissioners took another look at options for recycling waste tires and received a report showing increased permitting activity and lower solid waste processing costs during its regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18, in Pike Bay Township.

   County Administrator Josh Stevenson gave the board a brief summary of the Solid Waste Committee’s Aug. 4 meeting. The committee had reviewed several solid waste contracts, including transfer station management, current vendor contracts and tire and paper disposal. The committee had recommended moving forward with a proposal from Saber Shred Solutions for tire disposal. However, additional information presented to the full board prompted commissioners to take another look at the tire recycling options.

   Mark Maust with Liberty Tire Recycling addressed the board and outlined the company’s proposal for handling Cass County’s waste tires. Maust said Liberty Tire has extensive experience working with counties and solid waste organizations and processes large volumes of tires for recycling.

   Maust explained that Liberty Tire processes tires into recycled rubber products, including crumb rubber that can be used in products such as running tracks and other applications. He also said some processed material can be used as alternative daily cover at landfills.

   Maust said Liberty Tire could coordinate transportation based on the volume of tires available and the accessibility of the county’s transfer stations. He also noted that the company already has established facilities and transportation routes in the region.

   The proposal gave commissioners another option to consider, with several noting that the information from Liberty Tire had not been available when the Solid Waste Committee made its initial recommendation. Because of the additional information, the board took no action on the tire recycling contract. Instead, commissioners voted to table the matter and refer it back to the Solid Waste Committee for further review and a recommendation.

   Cass County Environmental Services Director Jeff Woodford then presented the department’s semiannual report, highlighting activity in planning and zoning, solid waste and conservation programs during the first half of 2026.

   Woodford reported that building permit activity increased during the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2025. Overall, permits were up 6.7%, while permit revenue increased 21.8%.

   Permit activity was particularly strong during the second quarter after a slower start to the year. During the first quarter, permits were down nearly 12% and revenue was down about 15% compared with the same period in previous years, but activity increased during the second quarter.

   Woodford said the department continues to see fewer variance requests, which he attributed in part to staff working with property owners to find ways to complete projects under standard permitting requirements rather than requiring a variance. Shoreland-related permitting showed an increase from the prior year, with shoreland alteration permits up about 3% and associated revenue up approximately 5%.

   The department’s conservation work through the Soil and Water Conservation District was also highlighted. Staff conducted 24 visits with farmers during the first half of the year to discuss conservation practices, while the county’s shoreline specialist completed approximately 65 site visits involving erosion control and shoreline design. Six shoreline projects have been completed, with additional projects scheduled for later in the year.

   Woodford also highlighted the department’s Green Corps member, who worked with Environmental Services during the past year. The position helped with public outreach, events, seminars and workshops, as well as assisting townships with identifying invasive weed control needs.

   In solid waste, Woodford reported that municipal solid waste volumes were up approximately 2.25% during the first half of 2026, while the county’s processing costs were down nearly 20%. He attributed the savings in part to competitive bidding for waste processing services at the end of 2025, this resulted in more competitive rates for 2026.

   Woodford said the department is continuing to monitor waste volumes and costs while also working to maintain the county’s eligibility for state solid waste funding. The report also noted that waste volumes at the county’s transfer stations have declined, partly because of changes to construction and demolition waste fees that were implemented after the county determined that some commercial waste was entering the system through the transfer stations. Woodford said the department will continue monitoring the changes and working to ensure the county’s transfer station system is being used appropriately.

   For the full Environmental Services Department Semi-Annual report visit casscountymn.gov.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Held a public hearing to approve an off-sale intoxicating liquor license for Big Winnie Store and Recreation, Inc. The request was approved with no input received written or verbal from the public.

   • Held a public hearing regarding the revocation of a variety of roads to Pike Bay Township. The roads, portions of County Roads 143 and 146 and all of County Road 148, were identified in the county’s 2024 Long Range Transportation Plan as candidates for township transfer because they primarily serve local residents. Under state law, Cass County will continue maintaining the roads for two years following the revocation. The request was approved with no objections received written or verbal from the public.

   • Approved final payment for the striping contract to Sir-Lines-A-Lot in the amount of $468,443.97.

   The next meetings are as follows: Tuesday, Sept. 1 at the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker; commissioner’s board meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Fairview Township, 4508 108th St. SW, Pillager and AMC Fall Policy Conference, Sept. 16-18, Sanford Center, Bemidji.

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