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) application and round-approval dates, (6) funding sources (for example USDA/NRCS, Leroy McAllister funds, county contributions), (7) city or township, and (8) an internal score. One member asked that some fields be "hidden" for internal tracking. Brandon agreed to include the columns and pull figures from application materials.

- Federal funding uncertainty: Members said a hold on USDA/NRCS funding has altered the economics of several projects. Committee members noted that the Elkhorn project represented about half of 15 projects under discussion and that changes at USDA could materially affect feasibility and matching funds.

- Outreach options after council pushback: Brandon reported that the County Council "was not in favor of sending out letters as the short version," citing concerns about using county staff time and county funds to mail targeted notices to private property owners. Council members, according to Brandon, suggested a broader approach such as a public-service announcement (PSA) instead of targeted mailings.

Committee members debated alternatives: a small targeted mailing to unincorporated-parcel owners in key gateway areas; a county-run PSA or radio segment; workshops or presentations at council meetings; and engaging outside organizations to do outreach. One committee member said, "I'm very disappointed that the council wouldn't spend $300 to help optimize the county's $20,000,000 investment," while others raised legal and equity questions about targeting specific owners.

- Estimates and lists: Members discussed earlier lists of potential mailing recipients. One participant said an initial dataset had been pared down to roughly 40 parcels in a gateway area from a larger set; at one point there had been more than 400 parcels in a broader pull, with 64 of those parcels under five acres. A rough postcard-mailing estimate discussed in the meeting was about $300 for a limited run, though members acknowledged that cost estimates would change with list size and mailing format.

- Small-easement/streamlined-offer idea: Several members proposed exploring a streamlined, smaller-easement or expedited-offer option for owners of smaller but highly visible parcels (one example discussed was a Cooper property of about 20 acres near Wellsville). The idea would give landowners an easier, lower-burden option to accept county funds and convey a conservation easement without pursuing additional federal matching programs; members asked if COSAC could develop a recommendation or workshop to present that approach to the County Council.

- Trails and upcoming council action: Brandon said a trails application reviewed by COSAC last month would be considered by the County Council the following evening. Committee members also discussed trail outreach separately and noted existing coordination with city and trail groups; COSAC remains on the agenda for related trail updates.

Decisions and next steps

- Agenda and minutes: The committee approved the current meeting agenda and minutes from the prior meeting without objection.

- Staff assignments: Brandon will expand the spreadsheet with the requested columns (including a score column) and continue compiling funding-source details from applications. Committee members agreed to follow up by email with additional suggestions.

- Workshop request: Members discussed asking Chair Sandy Goodlander to place a COSAC workshop or presentation on a future council agenda to walk council members through case studies and proposed outreach options; staff said COSAC can coordinate timing with county staff and that a workshop could allow more interaction than a formal council staff report.

No formal votes on policy or new program rules were taken at the meeting. Members framed most items as requests for additional staff work and possible future council briefing or workshop.

The committee adjourned after agreeing on the spreadsheet changes and outreach follow-up items.