The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Thursday, approved the hiring of a new Geographic Information Systems coordinator. Treasurer Tracey Marshall introduced to the board Mary Steinlicht, who has moved to the area from Bemidji, MN. Mary said she used to work for the NRCS – Natural Resources Conservation Service – in Bemidji. She graduated about a year and a half ago from Bemidji State University. She says she already has several projects lined-up to work on in Cass County.

In August, Cass County Assessor Brenda Nelson asked for and received the Board’s permission to approve the creation of the position, and to proceed with steps necessary to fill the position. At the time, Nelson said she has the money in this year’s budget for the new hire’s salary and benefits.

In subsequent years, other departments within the County that heavily utilize GIS, would chip in to cover the salary and benefits. Nelson, Cass County Engineer Charles Marker and Treasurer Tracey Marshall all agreed that having a GIS specialist in-house, instead of outsourcing the position would be a time-saver for them, and a great benefit to the taxpayers.