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   BACKUS— The Tuesday, Jan. 20 meeting for the Cass County Commissioner’s was well attended with citizens expressing concern regarding an enforcement agreement between Cass County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and whether the County could be held liable. Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk, along with County Attorney Ben Lindstrom, stated Sheriff Bryan Welk has no intent of enforcing the agreement and the agreement has been nullified. 

   Several citizens also expressed their objection to a request from Maxson Holding Company, LLC for a Letter of Understanding concerning property located near East Gull Lake off County Road 77. Randy Jenniges, Director of Land Development explained the proposed Letter of Understanding (LOU)was needed in order for the company to allow the Technical Evaluation Panel(TEP) review and process Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) submission. Commissioner Gaalswyk had concern over the wording in the agreement regarding wetland impacts and would like to see the TEP review completed first and brought back before the board. Several of the citizens shared their objections to the project in general due the proposed amount of lots on the 115 acre site and the possible change to the landscape around the lake. No action was taken on this topic but the Commissioners suggested the developer move forward with obtaining the TEP review.

   Health, Human and Veterans Services Director Brian Buhmann requested the board temporarily suspend in-person services in the Cass Lake office until further notice. It was stated due to recent staff retirements, job reassignments and the recruiting and training of new staff Buhmann felt all staff needed to report to the Walker offices. The Commissioners asked if the County could offer services in Cass Lake a couple times a week, however Buhmann stated recently there have been technical issues which takes almost a half day to resolve and allow staff to efficiently conduct business. It was also stated the Cass Lake location only sees approximately nine citizens a day and most of them could be helped via phone or at the Walker location. Therefore, the board motioned and approved the temporary closure of the office in Cass Lake.

   In other business, the county board: 

   • Approved a quote from Lance’s Do-All handyman for removing the old tile and installing porcelain ceramic tile in the Pine River Post Office outer lobby for $16,560.

   • Heard from Probation Director Jim Schneider regarding the 2025 Probation Comprehensive Plans and learned this plan takes place of the annual report.

   • Approved the final payment to Hawkinson Construction in the amount of $4,293,086.31 for road work on County State Aid Highways 4, 52, 54 and County Road 130.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus. 

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