Cass County Historical Society asks council to continue operating support and invites leaders to tour museums

Heather Fouts, identifying herself as a representative of the Cass County Historical Society, addressed the council to request continuation of county operating support the society requested in April and to invite county leaders to visit the museums in person. "I'd really love to show some of you around and just talk in person about what our challenges are and what we're facing," Fouts said, and she listed an upcoming free public event at the downtown museum and a presentation on Cass County transportation history.

Chico Rodriguez, introduced himself as a Historical Society board member and urged the council to remember the society in budgeting decisions, emphasizing the cost of maintaining two facilities: the Long Home and the old Salem Bank. "When the funding stops, everything stops," Rodriguez said, arguing that the society preserves local artifacts and history for future generations.

During the public-comment exchange the chair asked whether the society needed to file an official claim form to pursue the request, and a staff member said the council would address that procedural question. The speakers emphasized that the society's needs include facilities, utilities and staffing, and they encouraged council members to visit events and exhibits before making funding decisions.