(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met this (Tuesday) morning, and following a presentation by representatives with the Child Abuse Prevention Council, declared April to be Child Abuse Awareness Month. Here’s a brief summary of the proclamation from Board Chair Steve Baier…

The Board agreed to set April 22^nd at 9-a.m., as the date and time for a public hearing on the proposed FY 26 Cass County Budget. They also approved the appointment of retired sheriff Darby McLaren as a Reserve Deputy, with a wage of just One-dollar per year. Sheriff John Westering succeeded McLaren, who did not run for re-election last November.

In other business, the Supervisors in a continuation of talks from their last meeting, discussed adopting an Indigent Remains Final Disposition Policy. Board Chair Steve Baier…

Any special accommodations are at the discretion of funeral home directors and in coordination with the deceased’s family,but will not be paid for above and beyond what the County has agreed to pay. The Board adopted the policy Resolution as presented, by a vote of 4-to-1, with Supervisor Bernard Pettinger voting No, because of the words “May provide,” with regard to special accommodations.

The Supervisors approved the Cass County Hazard Mitigation Grant Project application, in the amount of $3,375, which is 15-percent of the total grant amount of $22,500. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon….

The plan identifies responses and mitigation necessary to recover from a major event, such as a tornado, or other emergency situations. The plan is created by SWIPCO (the Southwest Iowa Planning Council), and updated to include as many unforeseen circumstances (like the pandemic), as possible. A monthly report was received today (Tuesday), from Cass County Community Services Director Debbie Schuler, and along with a regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.