Cass County commissioners approve bridge contract, public-safety equipment and several county agreements

Cass County commissioners on July 9 approved a package of routine resolutions that included awarding a bridge contract to Lewis Company LLC, purchasing replacement in-car and body-worn cameras for the sheriff—s office, appointing a commissioner to the county billing commission and permitting a student internship with Illinois State University.

The actions, taken during a regular meeting of the Cass County Commission, also included authorization of bank signers for the Cass County Circuit Clerk, a contract for easement work on county property, and a service agreement for backup Internet at county offices.

Commissioner Bob Houston and Commissioner Jeff Fletcher voted to approve the items listed on the agenda; Commissioner Mike Moreland was absent. The vote counts read aloud at the meeting were two in favor and zero against for the items recorded as passing. One commissioner voiced an objection during the appointment vote but the clerk announced the measure as adopted.

On infrastructure, county staff moved to award the contract for the E2564/Bridge replacement project on County Road 268 to Lewis Company LLC. County staff described the structure as having a risk of closure and said the project will use BRO (Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation) funds with a federal or state soft-match arrangement so there would be no out-of-pocket expense for the county. Trapper, a county staff member, said the project had a "potential to be closed at any point" and that staff would "figure out some dates on when that will get the project started on it." The commission approved the award.

The commission approved a resolution authorizing updated signers on bank accounts held by the Cass County Circuit Clerk after the county—s bank depository contract moved to Hawthorne; staff said the change was to set up the clerk—s accounts at the new bank.

The commission approved a contract with the firm identified in the agenda as Capital and Kirsch LLP to assist with an easement issue tied to the county—s North Annex property. The item was described at the meeting as contracting outside counsel or consultants to handle the easement matter; no additional funding details were stated on the record.

On public-safety technology, the commission approved a purchase to replace the sheriff—s aging car video and body camera system with Motorola M500 units. "System has lived its end of life cycle, and they're starting to die out costing us a lot of money," said Mister Barber, a representative of the Cass County Sheriff's Office, adding the county has 45 cars that use the system and that funds were available from existing accounts. The resolution to buy the new in-car and body cameras passed.

Health department staff presented and the commission approved a student placement agreement with Illinois State University to host an unpaid dietetics student for a five-week fall rotation. "This is a student placement agreement," said Sarah, a Cass County Health Department staff member, who said the student — a local resident from Peculiar — would work from Sept. 30 through Oct. 31 on health education, promotion and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) related duties; staff confirmed there is no cost to the county for the unpaid internship.

The commission also approved a service agreement with Service Tech Solutions to provide backup Internet service for county offices, described by Mark, Cass County IT staff, as "our backup Internet for the courthouse."

Other routine business included the Cass County treasurer—s six-month settlement for January through June being placed on the official record and a resolution appointing Commissioner Jeff Fletcher to the Cass County Billing Commission. During that appointment item, one commissioner stated he would not vote for the appointment; the clerk announced the resolution adopted on the record.

The meeting concluded with a call for public comment (none offered) and the commission adjourned.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 25-64 (award bridge contract to Lewis Company LLC) — approved, recorded as 2 yes, 0 no; Resolution 25-65 (authorize circuit clerk bank signers) — approved, recorded as 2 yes, 0 no; Resolution 25-66 (agreement with Capital and Kirsch LLP for easement work) — approved, recorded as 2 yes, 0 no; Resolution 25-67 (appoint Jeff Fletcher to Cass County Billing Commission) — approved, recorded as 2 yes, 0 no; Resolution 25-68 (purchase Motorola M500 car and body cameras for sheriff) — approved, recorded as 2 yes, 0 no; Resolution 25-69 (student placement agreement with Illinois State University) — approved, recorded as 2 yes, 0 no; Resolution 25-70 (service agreement with Service Tech Solutions for Internet backup) — approved, recorded as 2 yes, 0 no. For all items the meeting record shows two commissioners voting in favor and zero against; Commissioner Mike Moreland was absent.