The Vermillion County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 5 unanimously approved a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that formalizes the county’s long-standing, informal support for the Soil & Water Conservation District.

Eric Shidler, representing the Soil & Water district, told the board the MOA converts a decades-old "gentleman's agreement" — in which the county provided employment and office space — into a written contract that clarifies roles and minimum staffing. Shidler said he updated the draft to cite the district’s statutory establishment in Indiana Code §14-3-32 and added a clause requiring the county to provide at least one position for the Soil & Water district.

Why it matters: The MOA documents how county resources (workspace and a designated staff position) support the Soil & Water district’s conservation work and clarifies responsibilities and statutory basis for the district’s operations.

Meeting details: After Shidler’s presentation, Connie Warner, board chair of the Vermillion County Soil & Water Conservation District, summarized program activities and returned a financial-benefit figure stating that every dollar invested in soil and water delivers $6.95 in benefits to the county. Commissioners moved to approve the MOA as presented and the motion carried.

Next steps: County staff requested a signed copy; Shidler provided copies at the meeting for commissioners to sign. The MOA will be filed with county records and shared with district stakeholders.

Quote: "For every dollar that's invested in soil and water in Vermillion County, we have the report here that says ... the benefits are $6.95," Connie Warner said.