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Valley Soil & Water outlines grants, $17,663 state match and seeks MOU with county
Summary
Representatives from the Valley Soil and Water Conservation District reported recent grant activity and state matching funds, outlined a near $2 million run‑rate in grant awards over recent years, and discussed the need for a memorandum of understanding with the county to document in‑kind and cash contributions.
The Valley County Board of Commissioners received an annual update from Valley Soil and Water Conservation District on Tuesday, during which district leaders described grant activity, state matching funds and the district's request for clearer formal agreements with the county.
John Mulahog, a board supervisor, and Dorena Farr, district manager, told the commissioners that the Idaho State Soil Commission reported a $17,663 total return to the county for fiscal 2024, which reflects both the county’s $8,500 cash contribution and in‑kind matches such as office space, meeting room use and staff time. Farr said the district uses those county contributions and in‑kind resources to leverage state matches and to attract other grant funding.
The district summarized recent activity: it has helped secure roughly $2 million in grants over the past two years for projects ranging from riparian fencing and culvert replacement to water‑quality monitoring. Specific project notes included a roughly $88,000 technical‑assistance award for well monitoring in the South Lake area, a reimbursable culvert grant that yielded a $35,000 reimbursement after completion, and partnership work with federal agencies including the Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Game and the Forest Service.
Farr confirmed the district now meets the state's audit threshold for organizations with more than $150,000 in receipts and has completed required financial reporting; she said the district passed its audit with no recommendations that affect program continuity. Commissioners welcomed the detail but said they need a formal MOU to document expectations and oversight when the county contributes taxpayer funds. The chair asked county legal staff to draft an MOU template and asked the district to seek examples from other districts and from the state Soil & Water Commission.
Ending: The district agreed to work with county staff and legal counsel to develop an MOU and to return before August 16 with the match report required by the state; commissioners said they would consider a more regular briefing schedule to follow the district's grant activity and outcomes.
