The Cass County Board of Supervisors have passed two resolutions pertaining to an Urban Renewal Project and the purchase of a new Sheriff’s Department K9 SUV. The action followed public hearings on both matters. There were no objections written or oral, for either of the matters. Auditor Dale Sunderman read the first resolution pertaining to the authorization of an Internal Loan, to fund Urban Renewal Project costs associated with the Elite Octane Ethanol plant. The motion was for non-recurring debt on an amount not to exceed $350,000, which would act as a compliment to the General Obligation funds, because of a change order and additional legal and retention fees. The loan would be repaid through Tax Increment Financing funds before June 1^st, 2035.

The second resolution was with regard to Cass County’s application for financial assistance with USDA Rural Development, for the partial funding of the costs associated with a Cass County Sheriff’s K9 vehicle. The Sheriff’s Department is making the application, with the County approving the purchase of a vehicle to replace an SUV that is aging-out. Supervisor Steve Green, the former Police Chief of Atlantic, explained the difference between a K9 transport vehicle and any other type of vehicle. He said they door poppers to get the dog out quickly in an emergency situation, vehicle interior temperature sensors to make sure the K9 doesn’t overheat, and other specialized equipment he said “Is expensive.” USDA Rural Development would pay 35-percent of the cost associated with the vehicle, which is expected to be a Chevy Tahoe.

In other business, the Board approved Crow River Construction’s application for partial payment amounting to slightly more than $68,067, for work on the ethanol plant gray water transmission line. Snyder Engineer’s Dave Sturm said the “project is essentially complete and has passed all the tests, with the exception of start-up pumping.” They’re still waiting for the ethanol plant to receive water. And, the Board approved Manatt’s application for partial payment amounting to $470,633 for work on the Glacier-to Buck Creek and Echo Road paving project. Dave Sturm said just over $2.5-million worth of work has been completed on the $2.77-million contract. That part of the project should wrap up, he said, in a couple of weeks. Sturm said the plant should be operational by mid-June.