(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors (this) Tuesday morning, passed a Resolution with regard to ARPA funding for the Cumberland Youth Fitness Program. The Board during their meeting on August 16^th, approved a request to equip the facility with a cross-fit training machine, at a cost of $4,919. In other business, the Board continued their discussion from last week, with regard to the potential sale of County-Owned farmland, in the area of Willow Heights. Cass County resident Cary Short commented on the value of the land, and the financial loss the County would take by selling it, instead of continuing to lease it.

He said the taxpayers would lose $29,522 this year alone, if the property is put back on the tax rolls.

He even suggested that if the County wanted to save taxpayers money, it should pass a Resolution to eliminate one of the Supervisor’s jobs and go to a three-member Board, like other Counties have done, and as authorized by the Code of Iowa. That suggestion didn’t sit well with Vice-Chair Mark O’Brien.

Supervisor Bernard Pettinger and O’Brien mentioned going to a three member board could pose a problem as far as transparency is concerned.

Supervisor Steve Green said a good portion of the land is above average in the CSR, which will bring the price up. Land is always an investment, he said, and…

Supervisor John Hartkopf said without the proper guidance, the County could be looking at a “Huge Capital Gains Tax,” if it decides to sell the land. The Board took no action on the sale during their meeting, while they continue to gather information. Certified letters were mailed on August 22, 2022 to the current tenants.