Cass to study detention center

WALKER -- The Cass County Board approved a resolution Tuesday to participate in a feasibility study to establish a regional multi-county detention center.

The board will forward the resolution to neighboring counties to solicit support for a multi-county commission for this purpose. That commission, composed of two county board members from each interested county, will determine whether there will be financial contributions to the project.

This is the latest effort to generate committed support for a regional jail. Committees to the north and south of Cass have explored the idea in recent years, but no formal action to proceed has resulted.

Following a public hearing Tuesday, Cass commissioners approved a final version of the revised liquor license regulations to include retaining a 1 a.m. closing time for on-sale businesses.

The board voted to retain two quotes received to replace the roof on the Pine River Community Resources Center front entry overhang and decided to have county maintenance staff attempt to eliminate water leaks before hiring a contractor at this time.

Cass will continue to fund the Mississippi Headwaters Board this year, but, along with other member counties, will cut the contribution in half to $1,500.

Jim Miller was appointed from the southern commissioner district to the Environmental Services Advisory Committee.

The board presented a certificate of appreciation to Tony Wold for his 27 years on the county planning commission.

Cass commissioners and the land department went on record supporting U.S. Forest Service Alternate C in that agency's Forest Plan Revision. Land Commissioner Norm Moody said he supports sustainable cutting on federal land like the county practices on county-administered lands for the future health of forests.