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Commission Minutes—July 27, 2023 5754 <br />Mrs. Scherling asked where the shelter's operational income comes from. Ms. Haug said the <br />shelter's income comes from Cass County, the City of Fargo, corporate donations, special events, <br />grants, and adoption fees. She said in 2023 the shelter rescued over 70% of all animals from the <br />Fargo Pound. Mr. Kapitan asked if the shelter offers in house veterinary services. Ms. Haug said the <br />shelter has two local veterinarians that volunteer time. She said most veterinary needs are funded <br />through donations and is the largest cost to the shelter. <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Grindberg moved and Mr. Breitling seconded to approve the 2024 <br />preliminary budget for Homeward Animal Shelter as presented. On roll call vote, <br />the motion carried unanimously. <br />4. VALLEY SENIOR SERVICES AND COUNCIL ON AGING <br />The senior services budget is based on one mill per state law, the County levy's one mill and is <br />matched by the state up to 87.5%. <br />Paul Grindeland, Executive Director of Valley Senior Services was present to review the 2024 <br />budget request. The request is for $2 million, no change from 2023. Mr. Grindeland discussed <br />offered services such as meals on wheels, meals at senior centers, transportation, and resource <br />specialists that provide resources to the elderly. He said Valley Senior Services has been providing <br />meals in Cass County since 1971 and in 2023 served over 200,000 meals. Mr. Grindeland said the <br />2024 budget includes new staff positions to offer more services to seniors and to improve current <br />programs. He said Valley Senior Services has future goals of a new meal center in West Fargo, a <br />new senior center with the City of Fargo and the Fargo Public Library, and programming at the <br />Fargo Parks new facility in South Fargo. <br />Mr. Peterson asked what the salary increase for staff will be in 2024. Mr. Grindeland said staff salary <br />increases for 2024 will be from 4% to 5% and some positions need an additional adjustment. Mr. <br />Peterson said there is a new facility being discussed in West Fargo and the County should have <br />discussions with the owners to allow Valley Senior Services office space. Mr. Grindberg asked when <br />the state legislature last adjusted the matching fund percentage. Mr. Grindeland said the percentage <br />has not changed for many years. He said the 2023 state legislature approved additional funds to <br />reimburse senior services for meals. <br />Keith Zeutschel, Treasurer of Cass County Council on Aging was present to discuss the 2024 <br />budget request for Cass County Council on Aging. The request is for $146,937 which is up from <br />137,179 in 2023. He said the Cass County Council on Aging provides meals and many other <br />services for seniors. He said the Cass County Council on Aging represents 13 local groups of elders <br />and provides funding to all 13 groups for services and activities. <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Grindberg moved and Mr. Kapitan seconded to approve the 2024 <br />preliminary budget for Valley Senior Services and Cass County Council on <br />Aging as presented. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. <br />5. RED RIVER VALLEY FAIR ASSOCIATION <br />Cody Cashman, General Manager of the Red River Valley Fair (RRVF) Association was present to <br />review the 2024 budget request. The request is $1,600,000 up from $337,500 in 2023. Mr. Cashman <br />discussed the history of the Red River Valley Fair and how Cass County helped fund the purchase <br />of the current Fair property in 1967. He said the 2024 budget request includes funds to help with <br />immediate infrastructure needs including repair to the grand stand and plumbing lines. He said the <br />RRVF has significant infrastructure needs that have a cost of $6 to $8 million. He said the 2023 <br />RRVF was held last week and had record attendance and numbers. Mr. Cashman said in recent <br />years, the RRFV has increased events in an attempt to increase revenues. He said the RRVF is a <br />non-profit organization and cannot levy funds, he said the 2024 request also includes a request for <br />the County to levy two mills per year for the RRVF to help provide on going funds to the RRVF and <br />its increasing infrastructure needs.