Cass County
Citizen Committee Opportunities

Click here for Current Citizen Committee Openings

( Application )

Citizens from throughout the County volunteer to serve on committees, commissions, and boards as an important part of delivering local services. The role of the citizen varies by appointment and can include final decisions or recommendations to be considered by others. Citizen involvement is an essential element of governace in Cass County.

Individual Board members may choose to nominate citizens, however, all appointments are made by the Board of Commissioners as a group. Generally, the qualifications for appointment are legal voting age and a commitment to serve. In some cases the law or agreement establishing the group define additional requirements. The Board of Commissioners support diversity in their appointments including age, sex, national origin, and geographic distribution.

Citizen volunteers are paid a per diem of $75 per meeting (unless otherwise noted) and reimbursed for mileage expense at the IRS rate. Volunteers are not considered employees for the purpose of workers compensation or unemployment. Automobile coverage is not extended to citizen volunteers. Liability coverage is limited to acts within the scope of assigned volunteer duties on behalf of Cass County.

We thank those who have served and invite you to participate.

For more information contact your Board of Commissioners by calling (218) 547-7419 or email linda.husby@co.cass.mn.us

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Citizen appointments are made to the following:

Bi-County Community Action Programs, Inc.
Board of Adjustment
Budget Committee
Central MN EMS Region
Civil Service Commission
County Extension Committee
Environmental Services Committee
Health, Human and Veterans Services Advisory Committee
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
Kitchigami Library
Mississippi Headwaters Board
Natural Resource Advisory Committee
Planning Commission
Region 5 – Central MN Council on Aging
Sanitary Districts – Pine River, Shingobee Island

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Bi-County Community Action Programs, Inc. ( Application )
(Meets the second Tuesday of January, March, May July September and November at 2529 15TH Street NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 beginning at 6:00 p.m.)

The Bi-County Community Action Programs, Inc. is a private non-profit corporation designed to serve low-income families and individuals through programs and services. The Board of Directors meets bi-monthly to set goals, priorities, review and approve grant applications, and evaluate agency operations. Members receive a meeting allowance and receive a mileage reimbursement established by Bi-County CAP. Currently Cass County has one citizen and two County Commissioners on the Board of Directors.
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Board of Adjustment ( Application )
(Meets daytime for field review tours and at the Courthouse for public hearings on a monthly basis. Occasionally, if application volume is high, two tours and hearings are held on succeeding days.)

The Board of Adjustment consists of seven members selected as follows: one appointed from each County Commissioner district, one member of the Planning Commission, and one member appointed by the Soil and Water Conservation District. Members of the Board of Adjustment are appointed by the Board for three (3) year terms. There is no limit to the number of terms a member can serve. The Board of Adjustment hears and decides appeals and makes interpretations of: County Ordinances or zoning maps, and alleged errors in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the Environmental Services Department in the administration or enforcement of County Ordinances. In exercising such power, the Board of Adjustment may affirm wholly or partially, or may modify the order, requirements, decision or determination and may direct the issuance of a permit. Variances from the terms of the ordinance in keeping the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the land use ordinance creates a non-economic undue hardship.
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Budget Committee ( Application )
(Meets daytime at the Courthouse several times during the months of June through December)

The Committee consists of one citizen from each of the five Commissioner districts, two Board of Commissioners, and the Auditor-Treasurer. Citizen appointments are for a three year term. The committee annually reviews all aspects of the County budget and submits recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.
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Central MN EMS Region ( Application )
(Meetings are scheduled six times per year, and are held at different locations around the 14-county region. Meetings take place the 3rd Monday of every odd month (January, March, May, July, September and November), unless there is a conflict or holiday. If the regularly scheduled meeting falls on a holiday, the meeting date is moved to the next week. Spring/Summer/Fall meeting times: 6:30-8:30 PM. Winter meeting times: 4:30-6:30 PM.)

One citizen and one citizen alternate serve on an advisory committee to a 14-county region which includes the following counties: Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Wadena, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Wright, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, and Todd. The Central MN EMS Region is designed to improve EMS services by enhancing communication, collaboration and supporting those in the business of saving lives. Responsibilities include to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Joint Powers Board on the development, maintenance, funding, and evaluation of EMS services and programs in the Region. Each county Board of Commissioners of the 14 counties within the Central Region, shall appoint one EMS provider to serve on the Advisory Committee. Each committee member shall have one vote on the Advisory Committee. Vacancies shall be filled by the Board of Commissioners within 60 days. Each county Board may appoint an alternate to the Advisory Committee. The alternate can vote in the absence of the appointed Advisory Committee member. Term of membership shall be three years, with no member serving more than one term. The alternate can be considered to fill the member’s position. Committee members will be responsible for regular attendance, preparing for active participation and discussion regarding recommendations to the Board, reviewing meeting materials, and preparation for the Advisory Committee meetings. A quorum of the Advisory Committee shall be necessary for conducting a vote regarding Advisory Committee matters. The quorum shall consist of majority of the voting membership. Members receive a $30 per-diem and mileage reimbursement as the Board determines, and is consistent with the approved state reimbursement rate. All meetings are open to the public.
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Civil Service Commission ( Application )
(Meets daytime at the Cass County Law Enforcement Center on the average once a month on Monday)

Three citizens are appointed to serve three year terms. Also known as the Sheriff’s Civil Commission, it is governed by MN Statutes § 387.34 and MN Statutes § 387.35. Commissioners serve without pay, but the county board shall allow the secretary such compensation, not exceeding $200 per year, as it shall deem necessary and commensurate with the additional services rendered. The commission shall annually submit a budget to the board of county commissioners for approval, modification or rejection. The county shall pay all necessary expenses incurred by the commission within the budget and in the same manner as other county obligations are disbursed, from the general revenue. Duties of commissioners: Subdivision 1. Positions classified; incumbents, service register. The commission shall have supervision over the employment, promotion, discharge, and suspension of all deputies and employees in the sheriff's department, except special deputies with no salary. The commission shall, immediately after its appointment and organization, grade and classify all positions and also all present employees of the sheriff's department; and any deputy regularly employed at the time of creation of the civil service commission shall come under the jurisdiction of the commission without examination, and shall not be classified in a position with lower pay scale than said deputy is then receiving. The commission shall prepare a service register, in which shall be entered, in their classes, the names, ages, compensation, period of past employment and such other facts and data with reference to each employee as the commission may deem useful, in order to better ascertain the standing of each deputy and employee for the purpose of promotions. The commission shall act in no more than an advisory capacity regarding salaries in the sheriff's department, and sections 387.31 to 387.45 shall in no way change the manner of fixing salaries of deputies.
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County Extension Committee ( Application )
(Meets daytime four to six times a year at the Pine River Community Resource Center 245 Barclay Avenue, Pine River, MN)

Committee members serve three year terms (Jan-Dec). Nine members serve on the Cass County Extension Committee (two county commissioners, county auditor-treasurer and six county residents). The University of Minnesota Extension Service is an educational outreach of the University of Minnesota that ties Minnesota Counties to the resources of the University of Minnesota. Extension’s Mission is “Making a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota/Cass County”. The main job of the Extension Committee is to identify educational programs needs, provide input on selection of Extension Educators, develop a annual county extension budget and promote Extensions’ mission.
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Environmental Services Department Advisory Committee ( Application )
(Meets daytime at the Courthouse on a quarterly basis unless a time sensitive issue is referred to them)

The ESD Citizen Advisory Committee consists of five members, one nominated by each County Commissioner from their respective districts. The committee reviews and reports on policy questions raised by private citizens or county staff and referred to them by the Board of Commissioners. This group provides the first review for proposed ordinance or comprehensive plan changes.
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Health, Human and Veterans Services Advisory Committee ( Application )
(Meets daytime four to five times per year on the fourth Monday of the month at the HHVS Building, Walker)

The Cass County Public Health Advisory Committee is being expanded to a Health, Human and Veterans Services Advisory Committee under a Human Services Board structure to fullfill the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 402.03 and Chapter 145A.10. The purpose of the committee is to actively participate in the formulation of the annual plan of the Agency's programs and services, make recommendations concerning the Agency's annual budget, actively participate in addressing local priorities and achieving statewide outcomes, review and evaluate the Annual Report of the Agency, review and comment on special interest groups and community-at-large input regarding programs, service and performance, to review the agency's policies and augment changes when the need arises and perform such other powers and duties as may be provided by law.
Membership: One-third (1/3) of the members of the Advisory Committee shall be representatives of those persons receiving services provided by the Board. Up to one-third (1/3) may be providers or employees of providers of services. The remaining members (1/3) shall represent citizens of the County. One County Commissioner shall be selected by the County Board to serve on the Committee.
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Kitchigami Library ( Application )
(Board meets at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of seven months: January, March, May, June, July, September and November at regional headquarters in Pine River. Every board member also serves on at least one of several subcommittees that meet at irregular intervals and times, at the convenience of committee members.)

One citizen is appointed, along with one Board of Commissioner member, from each of the 5 counties including Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, and Wadena that comprise one of the several public library regions established by Sate law. This board governs the delivery of public library service through its branch libraries in nine cities and a mobile library that takes service to rural areas. The board is responsible for policy, finances, personnel and general oversight of operations. The annual orientation of all board members will take place on Saturday 15 January at 9:00 a.m. at regional headquarters.
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Mississippi Headwaters Board Advisory Committee ( Application )
(Meets daytime at the Cass County Courthouse four times a year as directed by the Mississippi Headwaters Board)

Two citizens and two technical staff members are appointed to an advisory committee to the MHB Board. The MHB Board appoints an Advisory Committee to routinely advise on issues of policy and administration as related to the Board’s purpose and Mission Statement including, but not limited to, land use and management, water quality, and stewardship/education within the eight county area corridor. The MHB administers land use ordinances (local law) for properties immediately adjacent to the Mississippi River in an eight county region in accordance to State law. Cass County citizen committee members are reimbursed a $35.00 per diem (daily rate) and mileage established annually by the Board of Commissioners.
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Natural Resource Advisory Committee ( Application )
(Meets in the evening at the Cass County Land Department, 218 Washburn Avenue East, Backus meets on an as needed basis per year)

Ten citizens are organized into three subcommittees: asset management, forestry, and recreation. Each of these committees provide recommendations to the Board of Commissioners on public land management, particularly State deeded County administered land. Citizen committee members receive a per diem (daily rate), and receive mileage reimbursement established annually by the Board of Commissioners if requested.
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Planning Commission ( Application )
(Meets daytime for field review tours and evening public hearings on a monthly basis. Occasionally, if application volume in high, two tours and hearings are held on succeeding days/nights)

The Planning Commission is comprised of 11 citizen members. The duties of the Commission are to: oversee the preparation of County land use ordinances and plans; review and act upon applications for conditional uses permits, subdivision plat approval, planned unit developments, manufactured housing subdivisions; environmental assessments, and other matters as directed by the County Board of Commissioners in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 394. A majority of the members must be residents of the portion of the county outside the corporate limits of municipalities. No more than one voting member of the Planning Commission may be an officer or employee of the County. No voting member of the Planning Commission shall have received, during the two years prior to appointment, or during his term of service, any substantial portion of his income from business operations involving the development of land within the county. The County Attorney acts as the legal advisor to the Planning Commission.
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Region 5 – Central MN Council on Aging ( Application )
(Meets every other month in St. Cloud. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at least six times a year including the annual meeting in February. The Board shall establish such other regular meetings by resolution of the Board.)

The Central MN Council on Aging administers the Federal Older Americans Act dollars for a fourteen county area in 2005. The Council funding review committee evaluates proposals to provide services to older adults that have been determined to be in highest need in this area. CMCOA’s Board of Directors makes final approval of all funded services. Cass County’s Governing Board representatives will serve two years from this coming January 31st, or their first term will expire on January 31, 2007. Succeeding Cass County Governing Board members will be elected to serve three-year terms, except when appointed to fill an unexpired term. No member may serve more than three full consecutive terms. No per diems will be paid by CMCOA, however if the appointee is a Region Five Commission member, per diems will be paid by the Commission. Governing Board members may request mileage reimbursement from CMCOA at the same rate as agency staff travel. The County pays a $75 per diem plus meals and the CMCOA pays the mileage.