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   WALKER —  The Cass County Board recognized the retirement of a veteran Sheriff’s Office K-9, approved a sweeping update to the county’s Land Use Ordinance and advanced the county’s transition to a Community Corrections Act probation system during its regular meeting on Tues., July 7.

   One of the meeting’s highlights was the retirement of K-9 Ranger, who has served alongside Deputy Truitt Buckhouse since joining the Cass County Sheriff’s Office in 2019.

   Sheriff Bryan Welk told commissioners Ranger has been an invaluable resource for the department, assisting in narcotics investigations, suspect searches and evidence recovery throughout his career. During nearly six years of service, the 10-year-old police dog was deployed 91 times, including 65 narcotics searches, 24 tracking assignments, 11 perimeter searches, seven evidence searches, four area suspect searches, three building searches and one general patrol.

   Commissioners approved transferring ownership of Ranger to Deputy Buckhouse, allowing the retired K-9 to remain with his longtime handler.

   The board also welcomed the Sheriff’s Office’s newest K-9, Riley, a 1½-year-old Belgian Malinois who has completed the 14-week training and certification program.

Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Truitt Buckhouse and retired K-9 Ranger were recognized by the Cass County Board for Ranger’s nearly six years of service. During his career, Ranger was deployed 91 times and assisted in narcotics detection, suspect searches and evidence recovery before retiring at age 10. Photo Submitted.

Deputy Buckhouse said Riley has been certified in suspect tracking, area and building searches, evidence recovery and narcotics detection. The dog is trained to detect methamphetamine, cocaine and its derivatives, heroin and fentanyl. 

   Following the K-9 presentation, commissioners conducted a public hearing and unanimously approved the third and final reading of a comprehensive revision to Cass County’s Land Use Ordinance.

   Environmental Service Director Jeff Woodford stated the ordinance review began in May 2025 after residents requested changes to the existing regulations. Since then, the proposal has undergone multiple reviews by both the Planning Commission and County Board before returning for final approval.

   The revised ordinance consolidates several county regulations into one document, combining the county’s land use, definitions, septic, subdivision and short-term rental ordinances into a single code.

   Woodford mentioned the ordinance will become effective 30 days after publication. Applications already under review will continue to be processed under the current ordinance, while new applications submitted after the effective date will be reviewed under the revised regulations.

   Commissioners noted that the ordinance is intended to evolve over time and can be amended as new issues arise. They also emphasized that the Planning Commission will continue to use professional judgment when evaluating variances and other land use requests.

   The board also unanimously approved Cass County’s Comprehensive Corrections Plan, another milestone in the county’s transition from the state’s County Probation Officer model to a Community Corrections Act (CCA) system.

   Probation Director Jim Schneider said the county’s Corrections Advisory Board approved the plan during its June 24 meeting and the plan now moves to the Minnesota Department of Corrections for final review.

   Schneider reported that all five probation agent positions have now been filled, with the newest employee recently joining the department. Each agent will complete approximately 620 hours of training over the next two years.

The county initially assumed responsibility for 399 adult felony probation cases when the transition began. That caseload has since grown to 454 as offenders have transferred into Cass County or been sentenced locally. Schneider said those numbers are closely monitored because they directly affect state funding.

He said the department has also developed an efficient intake process, allowing most probation clients to meet with an agent within 15 to 20 days after their case is received.

   “The goal of probation is rehabilitation,” Schneider told commissioners. “We want people to improve themselves, but when someone avoids accountability, we work closely with law enforcement to address those situations.”

   Schneider said the department plans to begin tracking additional outcome data, including the success of offenders reentering the community after prison and those serving felony probation, allowing the county to better measure long-term results.

It was also reported the transition remains under the budget approved by the County Board last fall.

   Schneider credited the success of the transition to the cooperation among the county’s criminal justice partners, including the Cass County Attorney’s Office, Ninth Judicial District judges, local law enforcement agencies and the Minnesota Department of Corrections. He said that level of collaboration has attracted attention from other Minnesota counties considering a similar transition.

   Because of Cass County’s early success, Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk has been invited to serve on a statewide Community Supervision Working Group that will advise counties exploring the Community Corrections Act model. It was noted the opportunity will allow Cass County to share lessons learned and best practices with other counties as they consider making the transition to community corrections.

   In other business, the county board: 

   • Recognized the following employees for one year of service with Cass County: Cynthia Johnson, county team leader; Pamela Kramer, adult & family case manager I and Matthew Thorsheim, deputy sheriff.

   • Approved a camera system server upgrade with ElectroWatchman, Inc. in the amount of $57,838.

   • Awarded the relocation and electrical expenses of three hanging LP gas forced-air unit heaters in the Longville Highway Maintenance shop  at a cost of $4,171 to Samulson-Laney. Which is half the cost with the remaining amount to be paid by the mechanical engineer of record, Martin Mechanical.

   • Approved the application from BaBaamiwizh Community Navigators Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe - Babaamiwizh Community Wellness Initiative in the amount of $5,000 for operating supplies for start-up costs.

   • Approved establishing a public hearing for the revocation of portions of County Road 143 and County Road 146 and all of County Road 148 to Pike Bay Township on Tuesday, August 18 beginning at 6 p.m. in Pike Bay Township, 15514 Highway 371, Cass Lake.

   • Approved final payment to Swenson Aggregate & Construction, LLC for the aggregate project in the amount of $3,500.

   • Approved a joint powers agreement amendment on Old County Road 139 with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to help fund maintenance activities.

   • Approved final payment to DLL Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $265,036.12 for the hauling of gravel on ten county roads.

   • Awarded the Country State Aid Highway 1 bridge replacement contract to Structural Specialties, Inc. for the amount of $1,140,282.20.

   • Approved an agreement with Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding the Country State Aid Highway 1 bridge replacement.

   • Approved submission of the Minnesota Departments of Natural Resources Application for Easement across State Land application for state parcels along County Road 107 just west of Lake Shore.

   The next meetings are as follows: commissioner’s board meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 at Turtle Lake Township, 4196 72nd St. NW, Walker and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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