Board approves scaled‑back natural‑areas plan, asks staff to adjust Historic Poor Farm contracts

Erin Shane, executive director, and Elsa DeWald, local food and farm manager, presented the Historic Poor Farm and local foods budget for fiscal 2027 and explained staff costs were shifted into department 25 as part of a reorganization. The packet showed an overall budget decrease but included new operating lines for a kitchen and custodial supplies tied to the facility’s planned activities.

Board members reviewed multiple line items and asked about options to reduce recurring costs. The county’s contract with Iowa Valley RC&D includes a 5% administrative fee when Iowa Valley pays vendors directly, and staff proposed a $5,000 increase for landscaping/management services for FY27. Supervisors expressed a preference to keep landscaping costs at or below FY25 levels and discussed consistency across county contracts.

The board also reviewed a consultant (Eocene) proposal that offered a lower‑cost natural‑areas management plan. Jeff (project manager) warned that reducing services could jeopardize recent plantings and invasive‑species control, while Brad Predaub (Conservation Director) described a phased transition using county equipment to lower costs without sudden service gaps.

Following the discussion, supervisors indicated consensus to accept Jeff’s reduced‑scope proposal and directed staff to effectuate contract changes and lower the related line item in the budget. Supervisors also agreed there was interest in reducing Iowa Valley’s administrative line from $2,000 to $1,000 for preliminary FY27 modeling and to revisit contracts as part of broader budget decisions.

Staff agreed to return with adjusted contract terms and amended budget figures for formal consideration at a later meeting.