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   WALKER — Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk presented Deputy Cooper Severson with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Life Saving Award during the Tues., June 2 regular board meeting in recognition of his actions during a medical emergency on April 5, 2026.

   Sheriff Welk said one of the most meaningful aspects of the award was that Deputy Severson had been nominated by fellow deputies who witnessed his actions during the emergency response. “At the end of the day, being recognized by your peers is probably one of the greatest recognitions you can receive,” Sheriff Welk said.

   Sheriff Welk stated on April 5 Cass County 911 Dispatch received a report at approximately 4:40 p.m. of an adult male who was unconscious, not breathing and without a pulse. Deputy Severson responded immediately to the scene where CPR was already in progress and quickly took over lifesaving efforts. Deputy Severson also assisted with emergency medical care, including setting up and utilizing an automated external defibrillator (AED), while working alongside EMS personnel and other first responders. Sheriff Welk noted Deputy Severson remained calm under pressure and was willing to do whatever was necessary to help save the victim’s life.

Pictured left to right are Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk, Deputy Cooper Severson, who received the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Life Saving Award, Lieutenant Brad Rittgers and Deputy Luke Rasmus. Severson was recognized for his actions during an April 5 medical emergency in which he assisted with lifesaving efforts and helped transport the victim to the hospital, where the individual ultimately survived and is recovering. Photo Submitted.

   Due to limited personnel available during transport, Deputy Severson also drove the ambulance to the hospital so EMS staff could continue uninterrupted advanced medical treatment while en route. Sheriff Welk said the victim regained a pulse and spontaneous breathing during the response, something he noted “does not happen in a lot of these cases.” The individual survived the medical emergency and is currently recovering while undergoing rehabilitation.

   Sheriff Welk stated Deputy Severson’s actions demonstrated courage, professionalism, teamwork and dedication to preserving human life while reflecting the highest standards of law enforcement service.

Sheriff Welk also noted Deputy Severson is one of the department’s newer deputies, having previously worked in Fridley before joining Cass County. “He’s already doing good work here that’s being recognized by his peers, which is really great,” Sheriff Welk said.

   North Memorial Health EMS Relationship Specialist Kevin Lee was on hand to present the first quarter Longville Ambulance Service report, highlighting staffing, finances and response times. Lee shared the Longville ambulance service transported and billed for 90 patients during the first quarter, compared to 78 during the same period in 2025. Staffing remained stable, with nearly all shifts staffed by at least one paramedic.

   Financially, revenues and expenses both came in favorable, but the service still operated at a negative 15% margin, falling short of its goal of a positive 10% margin. There was some discussion regarding increasing the amount received through the special taxing district. Currently the Longville ambulance service receives about $620,000 annually through the special taxing district, not including anticipated state funding. County Administrator Josh Stevenson stated additional funding discussions for 2027 will need to go through the county’s Citizen Budget Committee process with those amounts needing to be received by the first week of July. 

   The Cass County Board also held a public hearing on the county’s proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which outlines future funding for county facility and infrastructure projects. Chief Financial Officer Becky Toso reported no public comments were received following publication of the hearing notice. 

   The proposed plan includes an increase of approximately $1.5 million in levy dollars for the capital fund and an additional $3,000 for the technology fund. Discussion among commissioners focused heavily on the county’s long-range financial outlook, particularly related to future construction and infrastructure projects including the county campus and transfer station improvements. It was noted that construction costs continue to rise between three and five percent annually due to increasing prices for concrete, steel, labor and other materials.

   Stevenson explained that the county has gradually increased its capital levy in recent years after tighter budgeting practices left fewer leftover operating dollars available to transfer into capital reserves at the end of each year. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, those year-end surpluses were often enough to help fund capital projects, but inflation has since outpaced those contributions.

   Commissioners also discussed the possibility of using local option sales tax revenue to help finance future projects. However, Stevenson stated that obtaining legislative approval for a new sales tax referendum has become increasingly difficult at the state level, especially for projects involving jail facilities. Any future local option sales tax request would first require special legislation from St. Paul before it could even appear on a public ballot.

   The board also reviewed projections tied to a future transfer station rebuild estimated at roughly $14 million, with portions potentially funded through existing reserves and future bonding. Stevenson noted the county has avoided carrying debt for decades, with commissioners acknowledging bonding may eventually become necessary for major infrastructure improvements. Stevenson also stated the current capital levy approach provides greater transparency to taxpayers because the county is specifically identifying how levy dollars are being collected and where those funds will be spent, rather than relying on leftover operational funds at the end of the budget year.

   Following discussion, the board unanimously approved the Capital Improvement Plan. 

   In other business, the county board: 

   • Recognized the following employees for one year of service with Cass County: Lucas Kinnaman, Motor Equipment Operator; Caleb Standlie, Project Engineer and Lindsey Sumstad, Deputy Auditor-Treasurer II.

   • Approve a Letter of Support to Congressman Stauber for S.622, legislation that would complete the technical

correction associated with the Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Act of 2020.

   • Heard a financial statement update stating the audit has begun.

   • Approved Facility Coordinator Tom Boege to procure HVAC control and mechanical maintenance services through the Sourcewell Gordian program.

   • Approved to fund the Round 3 Opioid Settlement Fund Application from LLBO/ Leech Lake Tribal Police Department- K-9 Program as written $22,494 for purchase of K-9 dog, associated equipment, and start up training costs; Table the application from Good News Recovery Houses- Good News Recovery Men’s House pending approval by the City of Backus and all other applicable permits and Approve funding staff time and the press release for the community forum in Hackensack.

   The next meetings are as follows: County Board of Equalization, 2 p.m. Monday, June 15 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker; commissioner’s board meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 16 at Ponto Lake Township, 1201 State Hwy 84, Pine River and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 7 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker

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