(Atlantic, Iowa) – Following a public hearing (during which there were no comments), the Cass County Board of Supervisors Tuesday (Today), approved an application for a Zoning Change by LANDUS Cooperative, from General Agricultural District to Heavy Industrial, for their property in the Pymosa Township, as previously approved by the Cass County Zoning Commission.

LANDUS purchased the former Wickman Chemical site northeast of Atlantic just west of Highway 71, last August. The sale was final in October. LANDUS plans to move their facility the Wickman site, which will include a 72,000-gallon anhydrous ammonia tank.

Erich Wickman, who formerly owned Wickman Chemical along with his wife Tammy, spoke at the meeting about the change, and benefits of having LANDUS’ operations on the site.

Cass County BOS mtg, 12-3-24

He said it’ll be good for Cass County by keeping those employees who are already here, and adding those employees coming in from other LANDUS locations. “Mainly, from a safety standpoint, it’s really good,” Wickman said. Cass County Zoning Commissioner Mike Kennon explained what the next steps are in the process.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors passed a resolution amending the Secondary Roads Five-Year Program by moving a bridge project from 2027 to 2025, as the result of a funding change from Highway Bridge Program (HBP) to Farm-to-Market (FM). The new bridge – southwest of Massena – will be 30-feet wide instead of the current 16-feet wide.

They also approved the hiring of an Equipment Operator 1 position for the Anita District (Secondary Roads Dept.). Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken said there were seven applicants for the position and five interviews. The person selected has previous experience in a similar position with the Iowa DOT. Wolken said they are expected to start in about two-weeks.

The Cass County Supervisors passed the Second Reading of an ordinance “Imposing a Local Option Surtax for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at a rate of One-percent on the State Individual Income Tax for 15-years” (in accordance with the Iowa Code), following the measure’s approval by voters in the General Election on November 5th, 2024.

They acknowledged the receipt of the EMS Advisory Council Annual Recommendation of an EMS Levy, as required by Iowa law. Public input on the matter will be allowed during the Supervisor’s meeting on Dec. 17th. And, the Board approved the hiring of a Treasurer’s Office Assistant, effective Dec. 2^nd, 2024.