Supervisors authorize drafting agreement with conservation board for Masdan/Masdan Barnes property

The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors authorized staff March 3 to draft a written agreement with the conservation board to place the Masdan/Masdan Barnes property under the conservation board's umbrella while preserving existing caretaking arrangements.

Supervisor (Speaker 1) said the conservation board agreed to the county's request in principle but wanted a written agreement clarifying that the county's existing preservation committee would continue maintenance and that no ongoing conservation-board funding was expected for mowing or similar tasks. "...contingent upon a written agreement spelling out basically saying ... We put it under your umbrella, but we're going to continue with the preservation committee... doing the maintenance of the upkeep and all other things that we do now," Speaker 1 said.

The board moved, seconded and approved authorization for Speaker 1 and Sean (staff) to work with Elizabeth (conservation staff) to draft the agreement and return it for review.

Board members emphasized the agreement should make clear responsibilities, avoid transferring unplanned costs to the conservation board, and preserve the current role of volunteer maintenance groups.