(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors held their final meeting of the year, this (Friday) morning, in Atlantic. The Board moved to appoint Mark Knudsen, of Atlantic, as Maintenance Superintendent in the Cass County Engineer’s Department. Engineer Trent Wolken….

With the appointment, Knudsen’s current position will be posted internally at first for five business days, and if there are no County employees interested, with then be posted externally.The Board then received a presentation from Cara Morgan, Executive Director of the non-profit Golden Hills RC & D organization, based in Oakland. Board of Supervisors Chair Steve Baier is on the Golden Hills Board, also. Morgan spoke with regard to tourism, trails and information with regard to the feasibility of having a full- or part-time Cass County Tourism Director.

She said by using Golden Hills, Cass County would have the intellectual and resources and practical experience of their entire team, in writing grants and other sources of funding.

She said as far as what it takes to bring tourism to the County, Morgan said they can’t come in and tell us what we need, as far as promoting the sites and towns in our county.

Board Chair Steve Baier…

You may recall we mentioned that after serving 15 years as a volunteer promoting Cass County Tourism, Kenner Baxter, of Marne, announced last Spring, her plans to retire. During last week’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting, CADCO Executive Director Jennifer McEntaffer, and Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith, told the Board they have no desire to take on a Tourism Director’s position, due to their current, busy schedule and duties. The Supervisors took no action on the matter at this time. It will be considered during the budgeting process. Morgan said if the Board decides to move forward with the commitment, she would prepare a Letter of Engagement.

In other business the Cass County Supervisors passed the adoption of a County Employee Wellness Policy, and a Resolution allocating a portion of the County’s ARPA (Covid relief) funds, for $25,700 in roof repairs to the Hitchcock House. They also tabled approval of a five-year lease extension for the Cambridge Law Firm for use of the upper floor of the County’s building at 707 Poplar Street, in Atlantic. The Board wanted time to review the contract and current market prices. They will act on the matter during their meeting on January 3^rd.

The Board accepted the resignation of Karen Thomsen, from the County Zoning Board of Adjustment.