Cass County Commission voted at noon on Dec. 31, 2025, to adopt an employer matching contribution for the county employees retirement fund for calendar year 2026, update property and liability insurance for 2026, and authorize two Road and Bridge equipment purchases.

The measures were approved in a series of routine votes. "2 votes for 0 against," the presiding speaker announced after each recorded motion. The votes concluded the county's final business of the year.

Why it matters: The retirement contribution affects county employee benefits for 2026; the insurance change shifts property coverage to Chubb and introduces a deductible tiering system intended to reduce large-event exposure, which may affect county budget planning. The Road and Bridge purchases—one loader and one compactor—are intended to replace aging equipment and maintain road maintenance capacity going into the new year.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 25 1 3 1: Authorizes employer matching contribution to the county employees retirement fund for 2026. Outcome: approved (2–0).
- Resolution 25 1 3 2: Improves liability and property insurance coverage for the 2026 policy year; staff reported a roughly 13% increase in premium and said property coverage will move to Chubb from Travelers with a different deductible structure. Outcome: approved (2–0).
- Resolution 25 1 3 3: Authorizes purchase of a 2023 John Deere loader for the Road and Bridge Department; Director Travis said the current loader is "on its last leg" and staff located a comparable unit through Murphy Tractor. Outcome: approved (2–0).
- Resolution 25 1 3 4: Authorizes purchase of a 2024 Walk and Roll W R-90 compactor (used). Travis said new compactors cost about $31,000–$32,000; the listing price for the used unit reported in the transcript was unclear. Outcome: approved (2–0).

What officials said
Travis, the Road and Bridge director, described the loader purchase this way: "Our loader that we currently have is on its last leg," and said the department ‘‘got a pretty deal’’ on a comparable machine through Murphy Tractor. On the insurance item a staff member reported the premium rose about "13%" and that the county would move property coverage to Chubb with a tiered deductible designed to limit exposure in large, multi-facility events.

Public comment and next steps
No members of the public spoke during the open comment period. Commissioners offered brief holiday remarks and adjourned the meeting. There were no motions left pending; the approved resolutions will proceed under the normal implementation and purchasing processes for county departments.

The commission adjourned after completing its agenda.