(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday morning, approved by a vote of 3-to 2, a Bond Counsel Agreement with Ahlers Cooney. Supervisors Hartkopf and Pettinger voted against the agreement. On a related note, the Board passed by a vote of 3-2, with Hartkopf and Pettinger again the Nay votes, a Resolution setting October 29^th at 9-a.m., as the date and time for a Public Hearing, on a revised proposition to authorize a loan agreement not to exceed $2-million, and the issuance of notes to evidence the County. The bonds would be used to pay for the addition of radios and the construction or addition of a radio tower, to increase the area of coverage for law enforcement and emergency communications through the ISIC System.

Originally, it was proposed the bond asking would not be in excess of $3-million, but the Board felt $2-million would be enough to cover any contingencies. Board member Steve Green on the origin of the $3.5-million original figure:

Board member John Hartkopf asked “How quickly will this technology be taken out?” He said he thinks it will be obsolete and that the future will not likely be emergency communications by radio, it’ll be something along the lines of a cell phone.

In his report to the Board, Cass County Conservation Director Micah Lee said “It’s been a super busy year at Cold Springs State Park.

He said they installed new playground equipment in September, including spring toys. The teeter totters and metal slide were removed at the suggestion of ISAC (Iowa State Association of Counties) representatives, because they are safety issues (Metal slides can cause burns. Teeter totters can cause lower body/spine issues when they hit the ground). Rubber curbing and pea gravel has been installed in the area help to prevent fall injuries.

The campground at Cold Springs will be closed at the end of October. Micah spoke also about the T-Bone Trail, but because of certain ongoing discussions, there wasn’t much he could say, publicly.

County Engineer Trent Wolken said his crews are still working on installing a box culvert on Indian Creek Road, north of Highway 6, and, their road maintenance work.