(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met this (Tuesday) morning, in a regular session. At the start, they tabled action on extending a five-year lease agreement with the Cambridge Law Firm for the third straight time, and discussion/action on General Assistance Guidelines, because the County Attorney has not had time to review the proposals and relevant data. The Board also once again tabled action on appointing a Brighton Township Clerk, because there is no candidate.

The Supervisors received a monthly report from Cass/Audubon County Environmental Health Director Jotham Arber, who said things began to slow down during the Month of December, and that they got all of the requested soil Percolation tests/soil analysis tests for rural septic systems completed this past year. Water test kits were mailed out to rural residents this month.

Jotham said also radon tests are also available.You can request the from the Environmental Health Department for $10. It was suggested the tests be made available at the Auditor’s Office, but no decision was made on that during Tuesday’s meeting. Arber said 64% of the tests for Radon in Cass County come back as higher than 4 picoCuries per liter. Seven in ten homes across Iowa also have higher than the USDA’s radon action level for mitigation of the lung cancer inducing concentration of the odorless/colorless/tasteless, radioactive gas.

The Board adopted unanimously, an annual resolution for livestock facility construction evaluations when a permit is requested, and the use of the Master Matrix. Their action is essentially a formality, since the State has the final say over such facilities being built. Any recommendations made by the County with regard to a particular livestock facility construction request, will be considered when State officials decide on approving a construction permit request.

The Cass Supervisors approved also, changes to the County Employee manual. Cass County Conservation Director Micah Lee provided the Board with a Quarterly report on maintenance and activities. County Engineer Trent Wolken reports they are continuing to stockpile road rock for use this Spring, before the 75-cent per ton increase that’s coming in February.

In other business, the Board approved the appointments of Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett to SWIPCO for 2023, with City Admin. John Lund as Alternate, and Chelsea McCunn to the County Zoning Board of Adjustment.