Soil and Water District asks commissioners for help planning temporary relocation if federal space reclaimed

Ruth Silverstein, chair of the West County Soil and Water Conservation District, told Dubois County commissioners that the district has been asked by its state association to prepare a contingency plan in case the federal building that houses the district is reconfigured and the district is asked to vacate.

Silverstein said the district is not certain the move will be required but that officials want to be prepared. "We're not sure, and none of this may happen," she said, adding the association requested contingency plans from districts occupying federal facilities across the state.

The district has begun informal discussions with the Dubois County 4-H council's executive committee about using space at the county 4-H grounds as a temporary location. Silverstein said the 4-H executive committee indicated it was willing to research logistics such as utilities, accessibility and security and that both groups would return to the commissioners with a joint proposal if they can agree on details.

When commissioners asked about timelines, Silverstein said the state association asked districts to move "as quickly as possible" but gave no concrete deadline; the district asked that any required relocation be phased reasonably to allow time to arrange utilities, security and accessible public meeting space.

The soil-and-water representatives said they are seeking only to prepare options: temporary use of the old annex or other county facilities was discussed informally, and the district noted it currently pays no rent because of its partnership with federal agencies in the building.

Ending: Silverstein said the district and the 4-H council will return to the commissioners with a formal plan and cost estimates if the federal agencies request vacating the building.