Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget And Program Reports topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oswego County SWCD approves 2026 modified budget, receives funding notices and staff program updates
Summary
The board approved the 2026 modified budget and routine financial items, received notification of state and county funding (including $60,000 Part A and $105,000 AEM advance), and heard staff reports on AEM Round 19, training plans, municipal outreach, and invasive species program logistics.
The Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District approved its 2026 modified budget at the March 10 meeting and adopted routine financial motions including approval of bills for March, the February financial report, payroll certification and review of reconciled bank statements.
District financial staff reported receipt of multiple funding transfers: $60,000 in 2025 Part A Performance Measure funds; a 25% technical advance for AEM Round 19 of $105,000 that was transferred to the AEM Round 19 account; and the first 2025 county appropriation deposit of $146,416.50 into the District savings account. The board recorded formal approval of the budget and financial reports during the meeting.
Staff provided multiple program updates. Ryan Cunningham, Region 4 Associate Environmental Analyst, summarized NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee announcements including a $25 million AgNPS Round 31 RFP for AEM Tier 3 and Tier 4 projects (questions due March 2; proposals due April 20) and the AEM Leopold Conservation Award ($10,000) application deadline of May 15. Erica Schreiner reported that AEM Round 18 final reports were submitted and that start-up funds for AEM Round 19 have been received; she also described ongoing outreach planning for the Plant-a-Tree Program and county Envirothon events.
Staff described training and outreach efforts: multiple employees will attend portions of the Water Quality Symposium to build staff skills; the district is participating in soil science watch parties and planned trainings on wetland delineation; staff reported outreach events including the ESF Career Fair and Rice Creek Field Station Winter Festival. Municipal outreach planning was described, with the district preparing to meet with town leaders after the Water Quality Symposium.
District Manager Joe Chairvolotti reviewed project-level work including coordination on reforestation property sale logistics with the county, permit status for a culvert replacement in the Town of Williamstown, work on the Pulaski Drainage Project and Deer Creek Marsh design and bidding steps (soil boring assessments), and expanded opportunities for district staff to lead wetland delineations with DEC oversight. The district also discussed intern recruitment and logistical planning tied to the water chestnut program and other invasive species tasks.
The board scheduled its next meeting for April 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 11:58 a.m.
