Gull Area Lakes Association asks county to seek elimination of phosphorus in lawn fertilizers

WALKER -- Gull Area Lakes Association has requested by letter to the Cass County Board that the county consider passing county legislation eliminating the use of phosphorus in lawn fertilizers countywide.

"We believe that prohibiting the use of fertilizer containing any phosphorus is very important in order to protect the water quality of our lakes," said the letter the board received from Bill Rickmeyer, GALA president.

The board took no action Tuesday on the request.

Commissioners did pass a resolution asking the state Legislature to fund the DNR's effort to develop a statewide digital elevation model and flood plain mapping program.

They approved a $24,000 grant application to pay to replace a bridge on the Heartland Snowmobile Trail in Pike Bay Township

Auditor-Treasurer Sharon Anderson reported the county continued through October to receive more interest income on county investments than projected in the budget at the beginning of 2002.

Through October, the county received $716,369.88 on general fund investments, $45,925.16 on road and bridge fund investments and $60,306.47 on health and human services fund investments.

The board approved a two-lot plat for Forest View First Addition in Fairview Township and authorized paying Architecture One $5,270.54 to provide additional detention center design concepts for county, including regional jail options.

Cass will receive $15,070 from Minnesota Department of Economic Security Office of Youth Development to fund the county diversion program for first-time juvenile offenders.

The board received a petition filed with Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services proposing the Teamsters Union should represent the four assistant attorneys in the county attorney's office. Currently, they have no union representation.