(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday), passed two separate proclamations. The first declared Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month, as encouraged by the Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council. Council Member Lora Kanning read the proclamation, which in-part says….

They also passed a motion proclaiming this week (April 9-15) as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, as we mentioned during Monday’s news on KJAN. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon read from the proclamation.

Kennon reminded the Board and the public also, about a Storm Spotter training class that takes place Wednesday, April 12th at 7-p.m., in the Courthouse Courtroom. The Board then heard from Jared Wyman , member of the Noble Initiative Community Foundation (Which is separate from the Noble Initiative Daycare Foundation), who spoke about housing development in Griswold and storm water management projects, along with a request for ARPA Funds.

Jared Wyman address the Cass County BOS 4-11-23

The Board advised Wyman to stop at the Auditor’s Office and pickup an application for ARPA funding, so it may be taken under consideration at a future meeting. A Public Hearing was then held on the proposed Maximum Property Tax Levy, followed by approval of the levy for Fiscal Year 2024. They also set April 25th as the date for a Public Hearing on the proposed FY 24 Cass County Budget. The Supervisors discussed and passed a Resolution amending Cass County’s official publication as the Atlantic News Telegraph, and to use the Anita Tribune and Griswold American as information sources for constituents. Board Chair Steve Baier explains the logic in doing so.

The Board then discussed and acted to approve, a Resolution to support the present Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). Once again, here’s Board Chair Steve Baier on Senate File 550…

(Details on SF550 can be found here) Critics say of the bill say large cities would see the most benefit from the proposed change, while smaller communities could see less money. The Supervisors received a weekly report on the Cass County Secondary Roads Department, from Engineer Trent Wolken. And, they approved the appointment of Norma Hemphill to the Southwest Iowa Housing Committee.