Cass County Commission approves $75,000 cybercrime grant, several land splits and tax-sale disbursements

CASS COUNTY, Mo. — The Cass County Commission on Dec. 4 approved a $75,000 state cybercrime grant for the sheriff—s office, authorized several land‑use applications and approved two tax‑sale surplus disbursements, the commission said during a regular meeting.

The commission also approved a payment estimate tied to a bridge replacement on East 268th Street and a resolution correcting authorization signers for county bank accounts.

The cybercrime grant, listed as Resolution 2498, is intended to support the Cass County Sheriff—s Office—s participation in the Western Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. "This grant allows us to...purchase a [digital forensic] tool, which helps us in gathering digital forensic evidence from suspects in these crimes," said Mr. Kozak of the Cass County Sheriff—s Office. The sheriff—s office described the task force as a seven‑county effort that includes investigators from about 10 agencies and works alongside the Missouri ICAC and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The commission voted 3–0 to approve the grant.

The commission approved a payment estimate and waiver evaluation for the East 268th Street Bridge Replacement project, listed as BRO‑R019, to support required right‑of‑way acquisitions. The motion passed unanimously, 3–0.

The board approved multiple planning and zoning applications at the meeting. The items included: - Application 3130: preliminary and final plat (micro subdivision) for property commonly known as 29410 South Sawmill Road, Harrisonville — approved 3–0 after a public comment from applicant Al Chapman, who said he is caring for his incapacitated mother and is subdividing to help pay for her care. - Application 3131: minor subdivision for property at or near 35102 East 200 and 705th Street, Garden City — approved 3–0 after staff said the owners intend to split the land for investment and access reasons. - Application 3132: lot split and rezoning of a parent tract near East 2nd and Third Street between South Bridal Lane and South Parrot Farm Road — approved 3–0; planning staff described the parcel as a long‑standing family farm and said the planning board recommended approval. - Application 3133: subdivision prelim/ final to be known as McCullough Acres, generally north of East 200 41st Street and southwest of Lucille Lane — approved 3–0 following applicant comments that the division is for family housing. - Application 3135: lot split and rezoning of a roughly 20‑acre tract at 21701 South State Route 7, Pleasant Hill — approved by the commission; the planning board vote reported earlier was 4 in favor, 0 against, 1 abstention.

Commissioners also approved two disbursements of 2023 tax‑sale surplus funds tied to Certificate of Purchase 23‑24, Tax Sale No. 256. One disbursement of $13,582.75 was listed payable to MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid). A second disbursement of $17,387.91 was listed payable to Montezuma Credit Union. The commission voted 3–0 on both disbursements.

Early in the meeting the commission corrected a prior resolution and replaced an earlier transposition error for authorization signers for Cass County bank accounts at Hawthorne Bank; the corrected resolution was adopted unanimously.

The meeting concluded with a motion approved to go into executive session under "SMO 610.021.1 — legal," after which the board planned to adjourn. The roll call for the executive session recorded Commissioners Bob Houston, Monty Kisner and Brian Johnson as voting yes.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2496 — Cass County Treasurer's Office: approve authorization signers for Hawthorne Bank accounts. Vote: 3–0. Outcome: passed. - Resolution 2497 — Cass County Road & Bridge: approve waiver evaluation and payment estimate for East 268th Street Bridge Replacement (BRO‑R019). Vote: 3–0. Outcome: passed. - Resolution 2498 — Cass County Sheriff's Office: accept FY2025 state cybercrime grant ($75,000) to support ICAC work; funds to purchase digital forensic tools. Vote: 3–0. Outcome: passed. - Application 3130 — Micro subdivision, 29410 S. Sawmill Road, Harrisonville. Vote: 3–0. Outcome: approved. - Application 3131 — Minor subdivision, ~35102 E. 200/705th St., Garden City. Vote: 3–0. Outcome: approved. - Application 3132 — Lot split/rezoning, area north of E. 2nd/3rd St. between S. Bridal Ln and S. Parrot Farm Rd. Vote: 3–0. Outcome: approved. - Application 3133 — McCullough Acres subdivision. Vote: 3–0. Outcome: approved. - Application 3135 — Lot split/rezoning, 21701 S. State Route 7, Pleasant Hill. Vote: approved (planning board earlier: 4–0–1). Outcome: approved by commission. - Tax sale surplus disbursement — Certificate 23‑24, Tax Sale No. 256: $13,582.75 payable to MO HealthNet. Vote: 3–0. Outcome: approved. - Tax sale surplus disbursement — Certificate 23‑24, Tax Sale No. 256: $17,387.91 payable to Montezuma Credit Union. Vote: 3–0. Outcome: approved.

Officials and staff identified speakers during the meeting and provided the motions and public comments recorded in the minutes. No ordinances or long‑term contracts were adopted at the session; the board moved into executive session on a legal matter at the meeting—s close.