(Cass Co.) The Cass County Board of Supervisors board room was full of concerned citizens this morning, as the board continued discussion on the Willow Heights lease.
The county-owned residential building, formerly operated by Partnership for Progress, closed in 2021 and is located in a rural area south of Atlantic.
The possible new tenant has not been disclosed, as the lease has not been finalized or signed. However, it was noted that the facility would be used for court-ordered and voluntary treatment of substance abuse disorders.
The citizens’ biggest concerns centered on security.
The board noted that many of their questions need to be answered by officials representing the potential tenant. Those officials were expected to attend the meeting today but were unable to do so. Board Chair Steve Baier…
Cass County Sheriff John Westering spoke with law enforcement in another community with a similar treatment facility in regards to problems they have had.
The Supervisors explained some of the positives: there would be job creation in the county, and it would be beneficial to the taxpayers of Cass County, as they would no longer be responsible for maintaining the facility—the tenant would handle that. Regarding the $150,000 cost to repair the roof, the Supervisors explained that it was an expense they had already planned to undertake long before there was any interest from a potential tenant, in order to prevent the building from falling into disrepair.
The lease has not been signed, and the board has taken no action on it at this time. The Supervisors did compile a list of questions presented to them today so they can obtain answers from the possible tenant.
In other news, the Supervisors officially approved a resolution to contribute $2,500,000 toward the Vision Atlantic Child Care Facility, at $500,000 per year in Fiscal Years 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, and 2031.
The Supervisors also set public hearing dates for vacating a section of Keystone Road between 610th and 620th Streets, and a section of Jasper Road in Washington Township. Those hearings will be held on October 21st at 9:30 and 9:35 a.m.
Additionally, the Supervisors will have a resolution prepared for approval on the 21st to vacate an untraveled portion of Buck Creek Road in Pymosa Township.
