Resident urges lower speed limit on County Road 20; county staff to follow up; state's attorney announces diversion grant

A resident asked the Cass County Board of Commissioners to lower the speed limit on County Road 20, saying heavy semi traffic and large trucks pass his home and have caused structural shaking and safety concerns.

At the lectern the resident (identified in the record as "Mister Johnson") described living about 100 feet from the road and told the board: “I don't even like staying in that house. Can you imagine just in here, this is probably what? 50 feet, 70, and 60 feet? Just imagine a loaded semi going by at 65, 75 miles an hour and you're trying to sleep.” He asked for a lower posted speed and said he would be willing to pay for speed control measures.

Commissioners and staff discussed the roadway’s posted speed. A commissioner clarified the road is an unmarked route with a default 55 mph limit; the chair asked county engineer Kyle Ritchie to visit the site and coordinate with the sheriff’s office. The chair told the resident, “You'll get a follow‑up from us.”

In community reports, the State's Attorney reported the office was chosen as one of three sites for a prosecution‑led diversion pilot and said the office received "just a little bit under $600,000" to start the project, with activity expected to begin in January.

Separately, the board approved vouchers after review; one commissioner said they would follow up on a couple of items of concern.

The meeting adjourned and moved into an informal planning session in the adjacent room.