(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass and Audubon County Boards of Supervisors held a joint meeting this (Tuesday) morning in Atlantic, with regard to vacating a section of road that crosses the County line, and was established over 125-years ago. That portion of 350^th Street/Akron Road is about 40-feet wide and is just under 5,000-feet long. Cass County Board Chair Steve Baier read the legal description.

The Board held a Public Hearing on the matter, during which they heard from some affected, nearby property owners with regard to access to their properties, with regard to easement compensation and maintenance of the road bed, especially in the area of the popular “Tree in the Middle of the Road” tourist site. Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken said the reason for vacating the road is due to the condition of a bridge in the area over Troublesome Creek. The Audubon County Supervisors said they were ready to move forward with the process on their end.

Joint Cass-Audubon County Supervisors meeting, 2-4-25 via Zoom

After more than 65-minutesof discussion, the Public Hearing was closed. Another 30-minutes was spent discussing motions, and were modified before a resolution was proposed. Steve Baier on the proposed modifications…

A modified resolution (2025-10) to vacate the road will take place at the Board’s next meeting on Feb. 18th. In other business, the Cass County Supervisors passed a resolution authorizing Sheriff’s Office employees to conduct banking transactions, and approved hiring Mandy Parks as a Sheriff’s Office Assistant at $22/hour, effective Feb. 10^th, 2025.

The Board approved 28-E (cost sharing) Agreements between Cass County and the Cities of Anita and Griswold, with regard to law enforcement services for FY2025 which begins July 1st. The agreements have been in-place for several years, with the only changes being made to the pay rate.

The Supervisors passed resolutions for various Cass County bridge and farm-to-market road projects, and received a regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken. Other reports were received from County Veteran’s Affairs Executive Director Mitch Holmes, and County Community Services Director/Mental Health Advocate Debbie Schuler.

One of the final business items on their agenda, was discussion with regard to a petition for the County to gravel on a portion of 670^th Street north of Lansing Road and east of Atlantic, between Keystone and Lansing Roads. The property owner agrees to pay half of the cost associated with the road rock, which amounts to a little more than Seven-thousand dollars. The Board approved the request as proposed.