The Cass County Board of Supervisors met today (Tuesday) in a combined electronic/in-person session. 2020 U.S. census representative Kelly Campbell discussed the 2020 census process as it relates to Cass County. Cass County’s self response rate is nearly 55%. The response rate (So far) breaks down to:

• Marne has a 70%
• Anita nearly 62%
• Atlantic 54.8%
• Massena 52%
• Wiota 50%
• Cumberland 42%
• Lewis 44%
• Griswold 48%.

Campbell said those who have yet to respond to the letter asking you to enter your information online, a paper form will be coming in the mail. The census is important, he says, because $675-billion comes back to states, cites and counties across the country, and it determines how many representatives each state has in Congress. Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken presented a 28-E agreement between Cass and Guthrie Counties for the Board to sign, with regard to for a bridge in each county. The “Cooperative Agreement for a Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP) Project” includes a Cass County bridge on Boston Road (estimated Cost $400,000), and a project for Guthrie County). The Guthrie County Board has already approved moving forward with the agreement. Guthrie County will be the lead administrator for the projects, including financing and coordination.

The Board unanimously approved the agreement. In other business, the Cass County Supervisors moved to adopt a Resolution pertaining to the Appointment of Maureen Doherty as Assistant-Victim Advocate. The Cass County Attorney has applied for and received a grant which will be used to partially fund the cost of Doherty’s appointment to the position. Her salary of $40,000 is effective retroactive to March 31, 2020.

And, the Supervisors acted on approving a recommendation by County Weed Commissioner Dennis Vogal to adopt a Weed Control Program.(The Resolution text is posted below)

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Cass County Resolution No. 2020-011 WEED CONTROL PROGRAM.

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of each County’s Board of Supervisors to enforce the provisions of Chapter 317 of the Code of Iowa as amended with regard to the destruction of weeds, and WHEREAS, under Chapter 317 of the Code of Iowa each county Board of Supervisors may each year prescribe and order a program of weed destruction to be followed by landowners, tenants, and other persons in possession or control of land, and WHEREAS, it has been determined by the Cass County Board of Supervisors that a program of weed destruction for the year 2020 is necessary, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Cass County, Iowa: that each owner and each person in the possession or control of any lands in Cass County, including right-of-way of County trunk roads and local County roads, shall cut, burn or otherwise destroy all noxious weeds thereon, as defined in Chapter 317, at such time each year and in such manner to prevent said weeds from blooming or coming to maturity, and shall keep said lands free from such growth as shall render the streets or highways adjoining said lands unsafe for public travel. Noxious weeds shall be cut or otherwise destroyed on or before the following dates and as often thereafter as is necessary to prevent seed production throughout the year: Group 1: May 15, 2020 Musk Thistle, Multiflora Rose Group 2: May 20, 2020 Leafy Spurge, Smooth Dock, Sour Dock, Sheep Sorrel Group 3: June 1, 2020 Canada thistle, Buckthorn, Wild Mustard, Bull Thistle Group 4: June 15, 2020 Wild Carrot, Teasel, Poison Hemlock Group 5: July 1, 2020 Perennial Sow Thistle, Cocklebur, Wild Sunflower, Shattercane That in the case of substantial failure to comply with the foregoing order, the Weed Commissioner may impose a maximum penalty of ten dollars ($10.00) fine for each day up to ten (10) days or may give notice to the landowner by certified mail to the last address as ascertained from the last tax list in the county Treasurer’s Office. The Weed Commissioner, including his employees, may enter the land without consent for the purpose of destroying noxious weeds (5) five days after delivery of notice, which time shall be computed from the date of mailing. The expense of said work including cost of serving notice and other costs, if any, shall be assessed against the real estate plus an amount equal to twenty-five (25) percent of all sums expended.