[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6569028,"mediaKeyId","3192694-d9cd08782c34d599e85785b8df0c5b5e","parentId",3192694,"title","Cass County adopts 2026 budget calendar and directs departments to target 0% budget growth amid new legislative caps","audioSeconds",331,"startMs",1327000,"endMs",1658000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192694-d9cd08782c34d599e85785b8df0c5b5e&start=1327&end=1658","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192694-d9cd08782c34d599e85785b8df0c5b5e/thumbnail_1327000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6569028/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Cass-County-adopts-2026-budget-calendar-and-directs-departments-to-target-0-budget-growth-amid-new-legislative-caps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569028-313f4d8f0e7968e5d784f557dc0d589f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168655&Signature=T6BfFqMWpnQdNr0xRIV0YHLopIR2mWMmWqx-WUThKv3TjU5IIGLSGA5FvE1DyPmdJnjJIZ8lI-LDo4ILjcBxDy9ycFEnw5qZGYtEsFEB8J7BE7nfPYB7JPcVMdE5Jn0ktuqaP-tBTPnvb8FE-EG8XEcloPu7phF4fJyVY1mAfupLn1PPU3Y5jAqpB1nVtgTdsPvolIVpJg3VqpwXIPvqKzoEYFKiatvZe5x53ABeHr09hESD2Oh2QyFmVdNKL9nmCWnzzFFOYyvfnqSWiVr99SwqrR9kAAsHWdrlxBzGBV1SKEfhHSZwCnE7SOxPWkCvE~sidUuiYpFXFA0-sHGK2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cass County, KS","date","2025-05-05T21:20:48.227Z","article","The Cass County Board of Commissioners approved the 2026 budget memo and calendar and adopted a set of directives aimed at meeting new legislative budget caps. The motion passed unanimously.

County finance staff presented a calendar that schedules budget hearings from July 23–25 and reminded the board that the Cass County Home Rule Charter requires the budget be approved on or before Oct. 1. The finance presentation outlined six directives for department heads: take a conservative fiscal approach for two years; target a 0% increase in departmental operating budgets excluding staffing costs; institute a hiring freeze for new FTEs in the 2026 budget year; require justification for any budget increases above the 0% target; proactively identify cost‑reduction opportunities; and hold final review meetings with each portfolio commissioner and finance staff.

Finance staff recommended evaluating options to balance the budget that include reducing or eliminating unfunded mandates (noting roughly $4,400,000 in items referenced from the 2025 budget), shifting mill levies between funds where appropriate, and preserving the county building fund to avoid deferred maintenance and borrowing. The finance memo also recommended a policy change to target a fund balance ratio of 30–40% to align with a higher credit rating; such a policy change would require separate commission approval.

Commissioners praised staff for the work preparing the guidance. Commissioner Grinberg and others said the directives provide a clear starting point for departments to \"sharpen their pencils\" as the county prepares for caps under recent legislation. The board moved and seconded to accept the suggested motion; roll call recorded unanimous approval. Staff will distribute the budget direction and calendar to department heads and return with any required policy proposals for fund-balance changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commission Meeting 5/5","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the annual budget memo and calendar, including six directives for department heads — notably a target 0% increase in departmental budgets (excluding staffing), an FTE hiring freeze for new positions, and a recommendation to maintain a 30–40% fund balance — to meet newly imposed budget caps.","taxTitle","Cass County, North Dakota","taxId",2734,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569032,"Commissioners approve TIF participation for Lennon Lofts (100% years 1–5; 50% years 6–10) after debate over budget impacts",566,760000,1326000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192694-d9cd08782c34d599e85785b8df0c5b5e&start=760&end=1326","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192694-d9cd08782c34d599e85785b8df0c5b5e/thumbnail_760000.jpg","/articles/6569032/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Commissioners-approve-TIF-participation-for-Lennon-Lofts-100-years-15-50-years-610-after-debate-over-budget-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569032-2833c116a67215ae39711b4329501ea9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168655&Signature=cLt5Y2bjUWdeql8v18oA7pFEvDSzs5UigyyMsSUnB24p4OkbMQ4GjVkvd1BKAgDgZzoyoDdRVfiID9svFImmzqpE-orI~deCkpEUEokuHjfGikNffhkui1UhFk64hzsgT9CgjCKJM96pXLCQY3hnlvGvJ7I8WeOF1JCyIgxYFf~S7VpEcpjSkcLEWwFD7itY1RwgYTbTE~d0Fc5NE8vf8oiqC1~wvDmAvjvHM57wpmt0Aa6ddB9tPi8g2U6quzd9c83YO5uEpzQ-waf-DRJZk0sqLrtjYjxHEV422kvxpQm1h6Nsc~0bCeFAfXS7L2fm5Iny8Ic-n1AYTws79fhawA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cass County Board of Commissioners agreed to participate in a tax-increment finance (TIF) exemption for the Lennon Lofts redevelopment in Fargo, approving a TIF structure that follows a Renaissance Zone exemption: 100% exemption for years one through five and 50% for years six through ten. The motion passed on a roll call vote three to two.

Jim Gilmore presented the redevelopment site and said the City of Fargo has already approved a five‑year Renaissance Zone property tax exemption; the county’s action was whether to participate in an additional five‑year TIF exemption the developer requested. Commissioner Capitan moved to participate in the TIF exemption; the motion was moved and seconded and after discussion the roll call produced yes votes from Commissioners Breitling, Capitan and Vettel and no votes from Commissioners Flacco and Grinberg.

Commissioners discussed the county’s budget context and the mechanics of stacking a Renaissance Zone exemption and a TIF exemption. Commissioner Grinberg urged more internal discussion about county TIF policy and budget tradeoffs, saying the commission should consider a \"roundtable or brown bag\" with staff as they prepare the July budget process. Commissioners also asked staff for data on TIF revenues: one speaker cited a county TIF figure around $1,552,000 while another referenced an assessor figure near $2,900,000; those numbers were not reconciled during the meeting and staff were asked to provide consistent figures.

During the discussion, staff clarified that the county does not have the option to opt out of the five‑year Renaissance Zone exemption but can opt out of an additional five‑year TIF exemption; the approved motion accepts participation in the optional TIF portion as negotiated (100% years 1–5, 50% years 6–10). The developer indicated the project needs the combined exemptions to make financing workable but had not completed all financing details.

The board did not adopt a written TIF agreement at the meeting; staff were directed to continue negotiations and to provide data requested by commissioners ahead of final approvals and any implementation steps.","The board voted to participate in a TIF exemption for the Lennon Lofts redevelopment, applying a 100% exemption for years 1–5 and 50% for years 6–10; the measure passed 3–2 after discussion about revenue impacts and the county’s limited discretion over Renaissance Zone exemptions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569038,"Commissioners grant abatement, drop 2024 assessed value on Velkov property to $308,100",93,606000,699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192694-d9cd08782c34d599e85785b8df0c5b5e&start=606&end=699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192694-d9cd08782c34d599e85785b8df0c5b5e/thumbnail_606000.jpg","/articles/6569038/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Commissioners-grant-abatement-drop-2024-assessed-value-on-Velkov-property-to-308100","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569038-fd7198757ea0e5a2ef2ff5e9d4272348/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168655&Signature=hDmHbQofQqXiqDhwxOQ58JCOliJJYLRfbq2hpVUgBpYd58EJsnryPe3Ltfu0oP2qXQWOCFBr5FwdEm92OVJotuT2UidLommPTT5-503MfURlxHuu3Oz~A-0XM~4eeNcEiJspaJ54beGhgUCBeONikQvKLUQX9IIOTiUb4a8viIVC5RqSW14MxYTsVXF6WxPH8p13FO8FF4N65B2P33akZW9TfJ7xuAd9C36jSTA3VDaAx8wfEtOT4naRDdvg~4mDGbOiiQsqp89Q0avfn019mUALLot7n~hCKw765Q72REUmMzBg7q1XzchCK2uJJ1~ZWHk8uJOkPRmRSyF-YQjnuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cass County Board of Commissioners approved an abatement application and reduced the 2024 assessed value of the subject property to $308,100 following a presentation by Mike Sponskovsky of the City of Fargo assessor's office.

Sponskovsky told commissioners his office inspected the property and found \"a significant amount of deferred maintenance\" and noted the subject property was assessed at about $167 per square foot, higher than comparable properties reviewed. He said comparable sales in the review almost all featured two‑stall garages, while the subject property has a single‑stall garage. Based on those findings, the assessor recommended reducing the 2024 valuation to $308,100.

Commissioner Capitan moved to accept the assessor's recommendation to reduce the value to $308,100 for tax year 2024. The motion was moved and seconded and carried on roll call; the clerk recorded aye votes and the motion passed. No owner representation appeared at the hearing and no additional conditions were attached to the abatement.

The assessor and commissioners did not provide an estimate of the revenue impact on county tax collections during the meeting.","After a review by the City of Fargo assessor, the board voted to reduce the 2024 assessed value of the property owned by Peter Velkov to $308,100, citing deferred maintenance and a difference in garage size from comparable sales.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569043,"Cass County schedules public hearing for Sanford tax‑exempt revenue bonds; county not liable for debt, presenter says",87,413000,500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192694-d9cd08782c34d599e85785b8df0c5b5e&start=413&end=500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192694-d9cd08782c34d599e85785b8df0c5b5e/thumbnail_413000.jpg","/articles/6569043/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Cass-County-schedules-public-hearing-for-Sanford-taxexempt-revenue-bonds-county-not-liable-for-debt-presenter-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569043-93b6d65cf47fe26fd0c037a4fa930e4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168655&Signature=mQ4KoGlvFfNMsC9y7Mn-L9J3Eyi2YpckzHU3dGtC6J7aaHUOON9XdPf50jDg4Krn25X0YnWf6ZhyDE2j98HA4pdP4Pv~~R0~fWSAQfVny0h6N9gwad8boNIXK99x-iaC9qumIkFWaHMAiDjLRCIvlfFlMfpGJvXWDNbKaYWGaEbmy8JdfSIH1ea0XNkzYKNilFV6leM7UwVjBJLjviG9G4-rmbh4mY-7O3BDwvElRuPUcF7SA3f1Fl0E8CGQVrdcZde4jZu8r3kP242l2PLQz11JjmEwQwT9zhVGTfS8cFAP9Zv58-sv5MrhmcS68kceFMsX6KhxsnQu1UPcrKVjlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cass County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution calling a public hearing at the next regularly scheduled meeting so Sanford can satisfy federal tax-code requirements for proposed tax-exempt revenue bonds.

Ronnie Martin of the law firm Chapman and Cutler, speaking for Sanford, said the hearing is required in every local jurisdiction where a portion of tax-exempt bond proceeds may be spent and that the board’s role is limited to holding the hearing and publishing notice. \"We wanted to highlight for the commissioners that Cass County is not at all liable for any of the debt that's being issued,\" Martin said. He added the notice the firm plans to publish lists the addresses of facilities that may receive bond proceeds.

Commissioners moved and seconded the request to set a public hearing. The roll call recorded the motion carried with four yes votes and one abstention; the transcript records the tally but does not identify all individual votes for public distribution. The board did not take any formal action approving the issuance of bonds; the vote was only to set and publish the public hearing notice required by federal tax law.

No specific projects, bond totals or facility addresses were read into the public record during the meeting beyond the statement that those items are described in the notice the applicant will publish. The county solicitor and staff confirmed the county would not be financially liable for the bonds in question.

The public hearing will be scheduled for the board’s next regular meeting; the applicant and staff will publish the required local notice ahead of that date.","The board agreed to publish notice and hold a public hearing at its next regular meeting to satisfy federal tax-code requirements for Sanford’s planned tax‑exempt bond financing; county officials were told Cass County is not liable for the bonds.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569045,"Cass County approves second reading updating highway access spacing, raises temporary access guarantee to $5,000",163,234000,397000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192694-d9cd08782c34d599e85785b8df0c5b5e&start=234&end=397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192694-d9cd08782c34d599e85785b8df0c5b5e/thumbnail_234000.jpg","/articles/6569045/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Cass-County-approves-second-reading-updating-highway-access-spacing-raises-temporary-access-guarantee-to-5000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569045-71edaf516467ae4c9b5bb91d24b5911d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168655&Signature=liOSt~1c-d0ta4c7ZFJAvJBrib0t55Sa3nd5iRwanxZPvNPYwUKALbpWtQ18DCT1eHZOCYBhvHYbjub8EX4eNeuN2McKTAzgZcCyTO949G~c4yhrMf09L-4KwzmTSc-6hitON~khwwJuEqJHXAztbXXzdux6cvY917EmJL42HxDE8tzo5BW9DsLRNNW4gGAvmZmIsaeX0bqPvAzjdRSt2OjFNKedTCJspMkM5Q~rvUHt2T3OUI6iYgDV25qknVud8f~XKCJBMU3R6BGf-j2TwczasApvFKvSrfC~V~RGo-4dlLt7eYMIy7amqvFu19yghQ8plKQdvQXkfY9Nh7594A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cass County Board of Commissioners approved the second reading of an updated Highway Access Ordinance that increases minimum spacing for access points to a half mile on county roads outside city limits while retaining a quarter-mile spacing within city limits, and raises the temporary access performance guarantee from $1,000 to $5,000.

The change, presented by county staffer Kyle during the meeting, is intended to preserve spacing on higher-speed routes and to allow room for turn lanes and updated intersection control as growth occurs on the outskirts of towns. Kyle said the ordinance keeps quarter-mile spacing inside city limits because \"when we're within city limits, the speeds are lower and we can fit tighter turn lanes,\" and that on 55 mph routes \"we do need a larger distance to facilitate some of those turn lanes and turn lane pockets.\" He also argued the higher performance guarantee would give the county more leverage to require cleanup, correct drainage, and seeding after temporary access is used.

Commissioners moved and seconded approval of the second reading. The clerk took a roll call; Commissioners Capitan, Grinberg, Flacco, Breitling and Vettel voted yes and the motion carried. The ordinance was approved at second reading as presented. The materials provided to the board did not include an ordinance number or an effective date.

County staff did not present an estimated fiscal impact tied to the higher performance guarantee during the discussion. Implementation details such as how the county will inspect and enforce temporary-access cleanup were referred to generally by staff but not specified in the meeting record.

The ordinance text and any implementing administrative procedures will be published following the county’s usual ordinance-adoption process.","The Cass County Board of Commissioners approved the second reading of an updated Highway Access Ordinance that increases minimum driveway spacing to a half mile on county roads outside city limits and raises the temporary access performance guarantee from $1,000 to $5,000.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cass County adopts 2026 budget calendar and directs departments to target 0% budget growth amid new legislative caps

Commissioners approve TIF participation for Lennon Lofts (100% years 1–5; 50% years 6–10) after debate over budget impacts

Commissioners grant abatement, drop 2024 assessed value on Velkov property to $308,100

Cass County schedules public hearing for Sanford tax‑exempt revenue bonds; county not liable for debt, presenter says

Cass County approves second reading updating highway access spacing, raises temporary access guarantee to $5,000