Chance Phillips, a representative of the Christian County Soil and Water Conservation District, asked the Christian County Commission for a $10,000 contribution to the district’s FY26 local fund to support equipment, repairs, outreach and partial staff offsets.

Phillips said the district’s mission is "reduction or total stoppage of soil erosion" and to "maintain or improve water quality," and that local funds help the district keep no‑till drills available to landowners at low cost. He told the commission that equipment rental generated about 69% of the district’s local income and that last year the district ended FY25 with about $27,000 in local operating dollars.

The request, presented at a commission meeting, was framed as a general contribution to the district’s local fund rather than an appropriation for a single purchase. "It can be for outreach. It can be for new equipment, maintenance of that equipment," Phillips said, adding that the funds also help offset a portion of district staff pay that the state stipend has not fully covered.

Phillips described operational changes since the district took on in‑house maintenance of drills: rental activity and acreage served rose after the district began managing drills itself, he said, and the district has replaced older drills in recent years. He told commissioners no‑till drills cost roughly $35,000 to $40,000 to replace and that the district aims to keep a reserve balance in the low tens of thousands to fund operations and future equipment purchases.

The district provided specific program and fee details: a Haybuster (large drill) rental carries a $150 minimum (15‑acre minimum) and a Truax 6‑foot drill rental is $120; last year the district recorded about 82 rentals and approximately 1,400 acres planted in FY25. Phillips said repairs last year totaled about $3,700 but cautioned that parts‑price inflation increases effective repair costs.

Board chair James Rannis, who accompanied the district presentation, added that the district has increased outreach and education, including recent grazing schools and school visits. "They're really reaching out and educating," Rannis said, describing the district’s efforts to adapt services for smaller acreage and more residential landowners as Christian County’s land use changes.

Commissioner Bradley Jackson moved to approve the $10,000 contribution; the motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote. Presiding Commissioner Johnny Williams said, "That's a good thing to do." The district will place the funds into its local fund account to be used consistent with the district’s stated purposes.

Why it matters: County contributions help keep rental equipment available at rates lower than private providers, supporting conservation work on both large farms and smaller residential properties and funding outreach to schools and landowners.

Funding and next steps: Phillips said the district will continue pursuing state stipend funds and local rental revenue and will use the commission contribution for equipment maintenance, outreach and limited staffing support. The commission did not attach additional conditions to the vote at the meeting.