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Barry County conservation district briefs commissioners on programs, requests sustained funding
Summary
The Barry Conservation District presented its annual report and thanked commissioners for a recommended appropriation; board leaders highlighted grant leverage and staff needs such as benefits and vehicles.
Representatives of the Barry Conservation District briefed the Barry County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole on Sept. 2, thanking the county for a recommended appropriation and outlining program activities and needs.
A district staffer (identified in the meeting as Danielle) distributed the district's annual report and program materials and said the five-person staff helped generate roughly $1 million in conservation investments or economic impact by leveraging county funds in grant applications.
David Camoe, identified as the district board chair and a longtime Barry County resident, told commissioners the district returns roughly $10 in grant funding for every county dollar invested and emphasized the district's need for stable staff support and benefits.
"So currently, staff does not have benefits. That's a goal we're reaching for, providing technology stipends, reliable vehicles for the staff because they draw a ton of traveling," Camoe said, urging commissioners to consider continued and possibly increased investment to retain technical staff needed to manage grants and reporting.
Commissioners thanked the district for its work on invasive species and programs such as Outdoor Youth Day and praised the district's rapid response to spongy moth issues.
No formal action was taken at the meeting; the district's request for county support will be considered in the county's budget process.
