Cache County COSAC debates outreach options, refines application-tracking after NRCS hold

Cache County Open Space Advisory Committee members met April 7 and focused their discussion on improving how the committee tracks applications for the county's open-space bond program and on how best to reach potential applicants after the County Council expressed reluctance to send targeted letters to private landowners.

The committee discussed adding multiple columns to a project-tracking spreadsheet to show original requested amounts, committee recommendations, council-approved amounts, dollars-per-acre comparisons, application and approval dates, funding sources, city or township, and a score column. A staff member, Brandon, confirmed he would add the requested fields and keep building the spreadsheet.

Why it matters: County voters approved a roughly $20,000,000 open-space bond that COSAC is spending through a series of projects. Committee members said application volume has been lower than expected and that clearer tracking and targeted outreach could help move projects forward and demonstrate progress to the County Council.

Discussion highlights

- Spreadsheet refinement: Committee members asked staff to add columns for (1) original application request, (2) the committee's recommendation, (3) the council's final approval, (4) dollars per acre for quick comparisons across properties, (5)…