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State funding cut forces Hubbard County to consider scaling back AIS inspections or seek more stakeholder donations
Summary
Staff said state AIS funding will fall roughly 50% in July 2027 (from $263,000 to about $131,000); county leaders discussed focusing state-funded inspection hours on highest-priority lakes and whether reduced coverage will discourage stakeholder donations that supported more hours this year.
Eric briefed the board on an imminent reduction in state support for the county’s aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspections.
“Last year we were receiving $263,000 from the state and that would drop to 131,000 roughly,” Eric said, adding that stakeholder donations this year topped $200,000. He said staff historically use state funding for prioritized watercraft inspection hours and apply stakeholder dollars to inspections on the lakes whose stakeholders contributed.
Staff presented options: concentrate limited state-funded hours on high‑priority or already‑infested lakes, or retain broader coverage by relying more heavily on stakeholder donations. Eric warned that reducing coverage could prompt some stakeholders to withhold donations if they perceive their lake will not receive the same level of inspection coverage.
Board members agreed the county should avoid adding a levy for AIS at this time and asked staff to continue scheduling inspectors to make best use of available funds and to consult stakeholders as next year’s donations and coverage plans become clearer.
No formal vote was taken; staff will monitor stakeholder commitments and return with recommended scheduling and funding approaches.
