COSAC refines application tracking, weighs workshops and PSA after council rejects targeted mailings

The Cache County Open Space Advisory Committee met April 7 to refine how it tracks open-space applications and to plan outreach after the county council said it would not approve targeted mailings to private landowners.

Brandon (staff), who presented a spreadsheet of applications, told the committee he had emailed the file to members and would update it with additional columns showing the original application amount, the committee’s recommendation and what the council ultimately approves. Committee members suggested adding dollar amounts, a city/town column and a score column so the committee can compare projects more easily.

"The council was not in favor of sending out letters," S2 said, summarizing the council's response when members asked whether the county would mail targeted notices to eligible parcel owners. Instead, the council suggested broader outreach such as a public service announcement or other county-wide messaging.

Members debated outreach options they said would avoid singling out individual property owners. S4 proposed mailing only to unincorporated parcels or running a county-wide PSA tied to a COSAC workshop. S5 and others suggested low-cost options such as a radio interview, updating the county website with clear eligibility criteria and case studies, and asking partner organizations to assist with outreach.

Several members raised funding and timing concerns. S5 reported a possible USDA/NRCS hold on certain projects, noting the change could affect project economics. "If it went on this one, it's a hold still," S5 said about NRCS involvement. S6 urged urgency in outreach, saying, "Personally, I'm very disappointed that the council wouldn't spend $300 to help optimize the county's $20,000,000 investment." Committee members estimated an initial GIS-derived mailing list at "400 and something" parcels, with roughly 164 under five acres, and discussed postage and targeting trade-offs.

The committee also discussed small-easement options for visible parcels as a way to secure high-value frontage without requiring landowners to pursue larger NRCS-driven packages. S5 used the Cooper property — roughly 20 acres near Wellsville — as an example, saying, "Mister Cooper may be satisfied to get a $100,000 and not go through all of the stuff he has to do" to secure a conservation easement.

Members agreed to ask the chair to request a workshop or presentation before the council or as a standalone outreach event, and asked staff to add the requested columns and a score metric to the spreadsheet. S2 noted a trails application the committee previously considered would be on the county council agenda the following night.

Without objection, the committee approved the agenda and minutes and adjourned.