(Atlantic, Iowa) – There’s a new sheriff in town…well, actually he’s a familiar face. John Westering was sworn-in this (Tuesday) morning as Cass County Sheriff, during a meeting of the Cass County Board of Supervisors. Westering – who served for many years as the Chief Deputy Sheriff – was unopposed in his bid for Cass County Sheriff, during the November 5th General Election. Former Sheriff, Darby McLaren announced in January, 2024, that he would not be seeking re-election, after 28-years serving the County as a Deputy, and his final position as Sheriff. McLaren said he was leaving the office “In very capable hands.” McLaren said Westering’s “experience and integrity” made him a perfect fit for the position.

Board Vice-Chair/District 2 Supervisor Mark O’Brien administered the Oath of Office to Westering, Cass County Auditor Kathy Somers, District 1 Supervisor Steve Green, District 5 Supervisor Bernard Pettinger (who joined the meeting via the phone), and District 4 Supervisor/Board Chair, Steve Baier. In other business, the Board passed the third reading of an Ordinance pertaining to an EMS Local Option Income Surtax. The Board approved a Cass County Wellness Program for County employees, that also designates participating and non-participation rates for Jan. 1, 2025 through Oct. 31, 2025. The differential rate amounts to five-percent.

They approved a Class-B Retail Alcohol license for the Griswold Dollar General Store, and they approved allocating the balance of ARPA funds for training new EMT’s and Paramedics. Supervisor Steve Green….

Green said we can’t afford to lose any EMT’s or Paramedics.

Cass County BOS mtg 12-17-24

The Cass County Supervisors approved plans to appropriate the remaining ARPA funds – amounting to $20,291.91 – in-part for: the Splash Pad project; SRO (School Resource Officer) radios, and divided among the libraries in the County. They then passed an annual resolution setting the posted weight limits on embargoed bridges. Along that same line, the Board approved a County Safety Action Plan that supports strategies outlined in Iowa’s Five-Year Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) 2024-2028, as well as the overall vision of Zero Fatalities on Iowa’s public roads.

The Board received a short, regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, and they acted on approving courthouse hours for Christmas Eve: The Secondary Roads Department will close at 11-a.m. (unless it is snowing), and the Courthouse will close at Noon.