(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, during their meeting today (Tuesday), set May 21st as the date for a Public Hearing on a Resolution to declare Emergency Medical Services to be an essential service. And, they set March 26th at the date for a Public Hearing on the proposed FY2025 Tax Levy. Auditor Kathy Somers explained the budget isn’t finished yet, but so far it seems the County is “in a good spot.”

A letter to property owners won’t be mailed-out until March 20th.

In other business, the Board authorize Chairman Steve Baier to sign a 28-E agreement with Juvenile Detention.

The agreement says the County will have to contribute about $6,700 less this year, which Baier says is a good deal, because there’s no way the County could handle those services with stand-alone funding. They also authorized a letter of response with regard to a jail and ICE Detainment Policy. Cass County Chief Deputy Sheriff John Westering said it’s essentially the same policy they’ve had for years. Their action was in response to an inquiry into the question of whether or not Cass County was a “Sanctuary City” for illegal immigrants.

Board Chair Steve Baier added…

And, the Board passed an amended Resolution allocating $10,000 in ARPA funds for the Atlantic Splash Pad Project. Supervisor Wendy Richter…

SplashPad Fundraising Committe Chair Jeremy Butler said the project is currently out for bids. Those bids are due by March 15th. The bids will be opened later this month and either accepted or rejected.

The Cass County Supervisors, today (Tuesday), heard from Craig Meyer, from Lewis, who attended the meeting to thank the Supervisors for approving during their last regular meeting, the powdercoating of benches at the Freedom Rock site, in Lewis. The benches are finished and returned to their places in the park.

In other business, Board approved the County’s contribution to Connections Area Agency on Aging, for FY 2025.