Cass County flood-sales-tax committee approves multiple local repair payments, refers Harwood study to diversion authority

The Cass County Flood Sales Tax Committee on April 21 approved funding adjustments and cost shares for several local flood‑protection projects, heard a finance update showing roughly $8.58 million available for new projects, and referred a feasibility study from the City of Harwood to the Red River diversion authority for further review.

The committee’s finance director reported a fund balance of $10,980,000 for the overall account and an unencumbered balance of $8,580,000 available for project requests as of March 31. Year‑to‑date sales tax receipts were $6,180,000; 6% of the designated 0.5% sales tax (about $371,000) is allocated to the flood sales tax committee. Interest earned to date was $248,000, for a total cash inflow of about $620,000. Year‑to‑date project payouts totaled $1,700,000. Requests presented at the meeting totaled $78,930, including $28,117 for previously approved projects and $50,813 in new requests.

Sheldon Subdivision ring dike: The committee approved an amendment to previously authorized cost sharing for a ring dike to protect 14 homes in the Sheldon Subdivision. Presenters said the construction bid was $394,935.15 and the project total is estimated at $790,410.67. The State Water Commission is expected to cover roughly 60% of eligible costs (about $335,957), and the committee reiterated its local cost‑share posture of 75% on eligible local items. Because the State Water Commission’s 60% formula and timing left a shortfall relative to the committee’s earlier authorization (previously approved up to $462,007.50), committee members approved covering the remainder so that the local assessments do not exceed the $61,700 maximum voters approved. Committee staff estimated the additional amount to be requested from the flood fund at about $52,000, producing a county commitment of approximately $392,000 under current estimates. The motion to approve the revised funding approach passed on a roll call vote with all members present voting yes.

Maple River Township slide repair: Maple River Township manager Carl Piper asked the committee to approve a 75% cost share of a $7,490 shortfall on a slide repair near a township road. The requested county share of the $7,490 is $5,617.50. Committee staff and county reviewers said the costs appeared reasonable. The motion to approve the additional payment passed unanimously.

Elm River dams 1–3: North Cass/Elm River representatives updated the committee on three rural flood‑control dams originally built in the 1960s. Construction is nearly complete and final closeout costs remain pending. Presenters said dam 1 and 2 may come in roughly $14,000 over the originally approved amount and dam 3 roughly $12,000 over, for a combined additional request on the order of $26,000 when final numbers are available. The committee did not take action; staff said final requests will be presented at a later meeting once construction closeout quantities are measured.

Rochester/Page Township slope erosion repair: Rochester Township resident Marvin Thorson requested additional riprap to finish slope protection on a township road project north of Page. Thorson told the committee, “We need something to stabilize that road shoulder with riprap… We think it’ll take about $30,000 to finish that up.” The committee approved up to $30,000 in additional funding with the county covering 75% of the cost (the applicant said they would cover any amount above $30,000 if needed). The motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

Drain 42 rock chute (design request): Moore Engineering representative Alexa Dusseldt presented a proposal to design a rock chute and outlet protection downstream of County Road 31 to prevent head‑cutting and protect a county structure. Construction was estimated at about $111,000; a 45% state cost share was already approved for parts of the work. The committee approved a request to fund 90% of the remaining local share for the advanced design phase (the committee’s action covered the committee’s requested cost‑share posture; construction funding would be addressed later). The motion passed unanimously.

City of Harwood eastside feasibility study: Andrew Ockrey, city engineer for the City of Harwood, asked the committee to fund a feasibility study to model and evaluate options to protect Harwood’s east side in conjunction with the diversion project. Committee members expressed concern that the diversion authority had not fully engaged on the issue; Commissioner Grinberg (committee chair) and others urged a joint meeting. The committee voted to refer Harwood’s request and correspondence to the Red River diversion authority for review and to schedule a meeting that includes city and diversion authority representatives; that referral carried on a unanimous roll call.

Votes at a glance: The committee approved the meeting minutes, approved the Sheldon funding amendment (including up to an additional $52,000 from the flood fund to prevent increased local assessments), approved the Maple River additional payment ($5,617.50), approved up to $30,000 (75% county share) for the Rochester/Page slope repair, approved the Drain 42 design cost‑share request (committee covering 90% of the remaining local share after state participation), and voted to refer the Harwood feasibility request to the diversion authority. Several other project updates (Elm River dams) were informational only and will return when final costs are known.

The committee ended the meeting with no further business; members said they will pursue coordination between the county, the diversion authority and affected cities to ensure outstanding Harwood concerns are addressed.