Lewis County signs voluntary stewardship contract, delegates billing to conservation district

Lewis County Board of Commissioners on June 24 approved signing the next biennium contract with the state for the Voluntary Stewardship Program and a companion contract with the Lewis County Conservation District to implement the program, delegating billing responsibilities to the conservation district while the county retains tracking and reporting.

The change was described by Andy Brooks, director of community development, who told commissioners the two resolutions cover the state contract and the local implementing agreement. "The big change during this biennium is we are delegating billing responsibilities to the conservation district so they can bill directly, and we will retain tracking and reporting," Brooks said.

The matter was presented during the board's deliberation items and approved as part of a package of resolutions (25-168 through 25-175). Commissioner Swope moved to approve the deliberation items and the motion was seconded; the board voted 2-0 to carry the motion.

Why it matters: the voluntary stewardship program governs farmland and forestland conservation work in areas where critical areas and agricultural regulation intersect; delegating billing to the conservation district changes which local entity will submit invoices for program funds while the county keeps oversight functions.

Implementation and next steps: Brooks said the conservation district will implement the program under the county's contract; the county will continue tracking and reporting as specified in the agreements. The board gave the item final approval with a 2-0 vote.