Members of the Cass County Conference Board, Thursday evening, approved County Assessor Brenda Nelson’s FY 2021 Budget. The Budget, which includes $74,000 in an Unreserved/Designated Fund, amounts to $696,599, which is an increase of $85,144 over the Re-estimated FY ending June 30, 2020 Budget. It also includes a two-percent increase in wages over the current fiscal year.

The Board, which is comprised of representatives that include mayors, school boards and the Board of Supervisors, held a public hearing on the Budget, prior to holding a vote to approve, with only one No vote (from Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones).

During the hearing, concerns were raised about $74,000 in the budget which was initially designated to begin a fund to help pay for a re-appraisal project, presumably through the use of Vanguard Appraisal Services, out of Cedar Rapids. Former Supervisor Mark Wedemeyer was concerned about what he thought was a $1-million price tag for Vanguard’s services.

Conference Board Chair Steve Baier said emphatically, “No, there is not a million dollars in this budget” (for the service). Assessor Brenda Nelson said Vanguard’s cost for their service could be split-up over the course of 10-years, which would equate to the line-item on the budget for $74,000. Montgomery County, she said, budgets $60,000 every year for their appraisal service.

She said she included the funds in the budget, “Just in case we do the project, it is in there, and we’re not trying to scramble two-or three-years down the road, trying to make up that difference. It’s definitely well within the guidelines of the budget limitations.” Following a lengthy discussion, the Conference Board unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Steve Green, to leave the $74,000 in the fund, NOT to contract with Vanguard at this time, and to instead conduct more research over the next year, and to hold Nelson accountable for making her office more efficient in the interim.

There were also concerns addressed during the meeting, about the time Brenda Nelson spends out of her office, and that she is not available when she’s needed. Nelson said she attends numerous meetings each year, court cases and other official business. She said “I don’t not goof-off. If I’m not in the office I’m either out with (Her new staff) training them…” and if anyone questions her time in the courthouse, there are cameras that record her presence. She asked anyone who has issues with her, to call her, or make an appointment to discuss their problems or concerns.

The Conference Board suggested she purchase something along the lines of a white board, which would show when Nelson and her office staff are going to be out of the office – for what reason(s) – and when they will return.