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   WALKER— The Cass County Board addressed several budget, infrastructure and county program matters during its regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 6.

   Tony Hansen, Regional Director – Northeast Region for University of Minnesota Extension, presented the county’s 2027 Extension budget request and two proposed changes to the county’s agreement with the University of Minnesota.

   The Extension Committee recommended increasing the office’s part-time support position, which currently works just over 20 hours per week, to a full-time position beginning in 2027. Hansen said the additional administrative support would help expand the Extension’s 4-H and Master Gardener programs while allowing the office to improve public outreach through social media, newsletters and additional program promotion.

   The 2027 Extension budget request totals $238,720, which is an increase of $40,888 from the current year. County Administrator Josh Stevenson noted that the requested amount is only $100 more than the amount included in the original budget request and is already included in the county’s preliminary levy.

   Hansen also presented a proposal to locate a grant-funded, 0.6 full-time equivalent program coordinator at the Extension office in Pine River. The position would work approximately 24 hours per week supporting Cass County 4-H initiatives and would be funded through the end of 2027. Hansen said the position would require minimal additional county support while providing greater outreach to communities throughout the county.

   Board Chair Bob Kangas questioned what would happen when the grant funding ends. Hansen said the county’s agreement with Extension is scheduled for review next year, at which time the position and future funding could be considered. The budget request and addendum to the memorandum of agreement were approved unanimously.

   In highway business, County Highway Engineer Darrick Anderson presented bids for a new Hackensack highway shop. Anderson said five contractors submitted bids after the county revised the project design to make it more cost-effective.

   Hy-Tec Construction of Brainerd was the apparent low bidder, with a base bid of $1.492 million. Anderson said the bid came in below what the county had received during the previous bidding process. Construction grading is expected to begin this fall, with construction of the building planned for spring. Commissioners approved awarding the project to Hy-Tec unanimously.

   Anderson also presented a Minnesota Department of Transportation agreement for a roundabout on Trunk Highway 210 and County State Aid Highway 1 in Pillager. While the agreement lists estimated county and city costs, Anderson said the city’s actual contribution is capped at $4,000 under MnDOT’s updated cost-participation policy. Utility costs remain an issue, however, with the city currently responsible for impacts to its utilities.

   Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk expressed concern about traffic flow around the roundabout, particularly during the school year when school buses can create traffic backups. Anderson said future improvements may be needed to provide additional space for traffic to queue. The agreement was approved unanimously.

     Anderson also provided an update on several county road projects. Work continues on County Road 36, where subgrade problems near County Road 167 have delayed paving. The CSAH 1 bridge work near Pine River is nearing completion, with paving expected over the next two weeks. The Highway 53 bridge project and work on County Roads 11 and 45 are complete.

   Construction continues on County Road 161 near rural Little Thunder Lake, where heavier soils and recent rain have slowed the project. Anderson said several dry days should help the project moving forward.

   County Administrator Josh Stevenson provided an update on the county’s opioid settlement funding. Commissioners approved the county’s Round Four opioid funding application for 2027 and the accompanying press release. The board also denied funding for an application from Meetopolis which is an app based program.

   Chief Financial Officer Becky Toso presented the final 2025 financial audit from the Minnesota State Auditor’s Office. The county received a clean audit with no findings. Toso noted one change from the financial information previously presented in June. A year-end adjustment moved some revenue into deferred revenue, reducing the Road and Bridge Fund balance from approximately $3.66 million to $2.97 million. The county’s full financial statements and audit report are available on the county website.

   The next meetings are as follows: commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus, AMC District 2 Meeting, 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the Beltrami County Boardroom, 701 Minnesota Ave, NW, Bemidji and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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