(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, today (Thursday), held a Public Hearing on an Ordinance establishing Supervisor Districts and Election Precincts, in Cass County. Hearing no comments, the hearing was closed and the Board reconvened to act on approving Ordinance 19-2022 Election Precincts after the first reading, and to waive the second and third readings, before moving to adopt the Ordinance as written.

Board Chair Steve Bair breaks down the precincts as stated in the Ordinance…

He said Precinct seven is comprised of townships including Benton, Franklin, Grant, Lincoln, as well as the Cites of Anita and Wiota. Precinct 8 will be comprised of townships that include Brighton, Grove, Pymosa and Washington, as well as the City of Marne.

Precinct 12 will be comprised of the westerly part of Massena Township, and the City of Massena.

Cass County BOS mtg., 3/31/22

All precincts are based on the latest Census data, effective March 31st, 2022. In other business, Atlantic Nishna Valley YMCA Director Dan Haynes reviewed the renovation project of creating a four-year-old child care space at the YMCA, which is licensed for 33 children.

The nearly $400,000 project is being funded by secured grants and other sources, but it still leaves them with a shortage of $88,109. Haynes said the shortfall is the reason he was before the Board to ask for some additional funding. He said it wasn’t cheap to renovate and upgrade their facility for childcare purposes.

He said they still have openings for up to four child care personnel, and up 10 additional children. Haynes was asked by Supervisor Mark O’Brien, about the current “financial status” of the YMCA, in general.

Haynes said they’re happy with the way the Wickman Center is performing, and the way businesses, the City and individuals have stepped-up to fill any current or potential void in funding the Center. The Board took no action on funding, but Chairman Baier encouraged Haynes to fill out an application from the Auditor’s Office for a small scale grant, and possible ARPA Funds.

The Cass County Supervisors heard also from County Engineer Trent Wolken, with a Secondary Roads Department report on maintenance and activities. He said they went from hauling rock Wednesday to hauling salt and sand and clearing roads this (Thursday) morning. Wolken said they’ve been starting on working with contract rock this week and will get into using more of the stockpile next week, weather permitting. He mentioned some bids came in for equipment, such as trucks and motor graders for the next fiscal year, but trying to get new trucks ordered is like the old military saying, “Hurry up and wait.”

The two trucks they ordered in February 2021 were only recently built. In other news, the Board acted on approving a cooperative agreement for a bridge removal mitigation program with the Iowa DOT in the area of 570th Street and Interstate 80. Bid letting for the project won’t even begin until January, 2024. And, the Board approved the assignment of 2017 & 2019 Tax Sale Certificates for certain parcels in the Cities of Cumberland and Griswold, to Situs Cultivation, LLC.), which agrees to purchase the properties for the price of the back taxes, penalty, interest and an assignment fee.