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Conservation board proposes smaller tax ask but plans new equipment and trucks
Summary
Mitchell County conservation staff told supervisors the conservation budget shows a $34,000 decline in tax askings for 2026 driven by project completions, even as planned equipment purchases (including a $21,000 mower and four trucks) and 3% wage increases raise certain line items.
Conservation staff presented the department budget and told the Mitchell County supervisors the conservation tax request for 2026 is down about $34,000 compared with the prior year because several projects have wrapped up.
"We're actually going down... we're going down $34,000 in tax askings this year," said Speaker 3, who represented the conservation budget presentation. He said the change reflects the closeout of major projects such as the water‑trails effort and the absence this year of an expensive equipment purchase (an excavator bought last year).
At the same time, the recycling center (budget 38) will see a net increase in its tax request of $932 for 2026, Speaker 3 said, because equipment costs fell by about $2,000 while salary lines reflect a 3% wage adjustment the conservation board approved. Speaker 3 outlined a $196,000 'new equipment' package that includes a $21,000 lawnmower and a planned purchase of four trucks as part of a rollover plan the board has used to reduce maintenance and replacement costs over time.
Supervisors raised questions about whether maintenance costs would fall once the rollover plan and newer vehicles reduce repair needs. Speaker 3 answered that the county has lacked a qualified maintenance employee in recent years and that bringing the fleet and equipment back into reliable condition will take multiple years.
The conservation group also highlighted grant and timber‑sale revenue that will offset some expenditures; Speaker 3 noted a $132,000 grant for timber‑stand improvements and described conservative use of trust and sale proceeds rather than relying solely on tax dollars.
Board members and conservation representatives agreed to continue review of the line items and to provide any additional backup for equipment and project timelines before final levy decisions.
The discussion was informational and no final appropriation vote on the conservation budget was recorded at the meeting.
