(Atlantc, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday (Today) held a Public Hearing on the published, Fiscal Year, 2023 Cass County Budget, during which there were no comments from the public. The Board then voted to adopt the resolution as proposed. The Board also acted on a Resolution to reduce by half, the percentage of Elected Officials compensation that had been recommended by the Cass County Compensation Board, effective July 1, 2022.

Board Chair Steve Baier noted the revised amounts.

Approved salaries (which are also less than what the Compensation Board recommended), will be as follows:

• Cass County Attorney: $124,081 (This year’s salary is $120,467)
• Cass County Auditor: $65,433 (Compared to $63,527 in the current year)
• Cass County Recorder: $65,433 (This year, $63,527)
• Cass County Treasurer: $65, 433 ($63,527)
• Cass County Sheriff: $94,167 (Compared to $83,334 in the current year)
• Supervisors: $32,759 ($31,805 current year)
• Board Chair, $33,759 ($33,805 currently)

Supervisor Mark O’Brien was in disagreement with the Supervisor’s Board Chair compensation…he said it should be more, wanted to increase it, based on the responsibilities that come with the position. The others agreed, but Supervisor Steve Green said “The law doesn’t allow us to go higher.” Green and Baier advised the issue should be “left alone.” Supervisor Hartkopf reminded the public that neither the Supervisors nor the Compensation Board have a say over the final outcome, because the State regulates some areas.

In other business, the Supervisors approved a Resolution to use ARPA funds to purchase election equipment. Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns explains…

The cost is $108, 624, with no maintenance or annual license fees included. The old equipment will be included in a trade-in deal. Board Chair Baier said in previous discussions, it was agreed purchasing election equipment would be a good use of the recovery act funds the County has received. The new election machines will not be available for the June Primary, and it’s questionable if they will be available for the November General Election.