Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Contractor Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves updated 2025 local contractor and equipment rental rates for conservation projects
Summary
The Land Conservation Committee approved revised 2025 local equipment and contractor rates used to calculate cost‑share reimbursements for conservation work; staff said rates were updated to reflect current local contractor ranges and to better compensate landowners who perform work in‑kind.
The Ashland County Land Conservation Committee voted unanimously to adopt revised 2025 local contractor and equipment rental rates used in the county land‑and‑water cost‑share program.
Committee staff said the rate schedule was compiled from local contractor and rental company data and that recommended rates were rounded up from locally observed averages. The schedule covers a range of commonly used equipment and is intended to ensure landowners or local contractors receive fair compensation when they perform conservation work that will be reimbursed through the state’s cost‑share program.
Staff noted the county’s cost‑share funding comes from a state DACAP allocation (example: $50,000 annual pot cited), and increasing local hourly rates may use more of the annual allocation but will better reflect the true cost of equipment operation or contractor services. “We want to make sure that our producers and landowners are getting compensated fairly,” the staff presenter told the committee.
Committee members discussed budget impacts and program throughput: staff said the county typically funds about six to nine projects a year and that raising rates should not dramatically reduce the number of projects the county can support, although it may stretch available funds more thinly. Members also noted state and county advocacy channels to seek higher cost‑share funding from the legislature.
A motion to accept the recommended 2025 rental and contractor rates was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Ending: Staff were directed to implement the updated rates for 2025 cost‑share calculations and to continue monitoring program capacity and funding needs for future budget discussions.
