After lengthy discussion, the Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday), agreed by a vote of four-to-one, to offer a contract for the County Engineer’s position to a man from Madison County. Trent Wolken, Assistant County Engineer at Polk County Public Works, was offered the job to fill the Professional Engineer’s position, with a starting salary of $110,000. Wolken served as the Assistant County Engineer in Dallas County, prior to be hired in Polk County.

Trent Wolken, P.E. (from his Linked-In page)

His contract calls for him to serve Cass County from March 23rd, 2020 until June 30, 2022. And, while all the Supervisors agreed Wolken was extremely well qualified to hold the position of Engineer, which is currently being filled by former Cass County Engineer Charles Marker, a couple of the Board had reservations about his living arrangements and travel benefits package. Supervisor Steve Green was the lone “No” vote on approving Wolken’s contract, because of the fact he won’t be a Cass County resident.

He currently lives in Earlham, and has family ties in Cass County and the Elk Horn area. Supervisor Green said Wolken brings “a lot to the table, however, the constituents he’s spoken with in his district, want someone who lives in Cass County and invests in Cass County. Then there’s the expense of having him commute back and forth between Earlham and Atlantic the county will have to pick up. Green says “If we’re gonna give you six-figures, come live amongst us.” Supervisor Board Chair Steve Baier says Wolken “Has not ruled out that he would not move to Cass County in the future.” He told Baier he doesn’t want to make the transition right now, because of the age of his children and other family concerns.

Supervisor John Hartkopf said the County is two-years or less away from losing its key staff to retirement, so the priority right now is to “Save our department.” Supervisor Frank Waters ultimately voted in favor of the contract, but he too had concerns, especially with regard to the cost to the County. He said throw in the mileage allowance and use of a County vehicle amounts to a total package of about $119-to $120,000 per year.

Pending a satisfactory performance review at the end of six-months, Wolken will be granted an annual increase of 2.1% (effective October 21, 2020).