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Committee approves crop prices and wildlife damage budget; both measures pass unanimously
Summary
The Washington County Land Use and Planning Committee approved the county crop‑price schedule and accepted a pass‑through budget for the wildlife damage abatement and claims program, with the committee recording unanimous support for both motions.
The Washington County Land Use and Planning Committee voted on two agriculture-related items: a county crop-price schedule used for wildlife damage compensation and the county’s participation in the Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims program administered by USDA and the Department of Natural Resources.
Mike Berg of USDA Wildlife Services presented the crop‑price schedule and said those prices are a year‑long average that the committee may adjust. Berg said commodity prices are moving: "Corn is under $4, and soybeans are about I think they're a little under 10. And wheat is, oh, I think it was $4.60 or something like that." He told the committee the schedule is advisory and can be raised or lowered by the committee.
Supervisor Pridemore moved to approve the crop prices; Supervisor Krebs seconded. The committee recorded the motion as passing unanimously.
The committee also considered the county’s participation in the wildlife damage abatement and claims program. Mike Berg explained that USDA administers the program for the Department of Natural Resources and that the approved county budget line is $29,600.47. Berg said that amount includes $1,250 that goes to the county to cover paperwork and that a federal cost share of $4,638.88 brings the total program budget to about $34,002.39. He emphasized the funds are pass‑through money and that compensation to landowners is processed after approval.
Supervisor Krebs moved the wildlife damage budget; Supervisor Mary seconded. Committee members discussed program conditions such as public‑hunting access options tied to compensation and the Act 82 permit process. The committee recorded the motion as passing by unanimous vote.
Both measures were recorded as routine approvals; the committee did not record a roll‑call tally by name in the transcript, but minutes show each motion carried without opposition.
