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Kossuth County Conservation Board approves repairs, grant application and personnel policy
Summary
At its Oct. 13 meeting at Water’s Edge Nature Center, the Kossuth County Conservation Board unanimously approved paying a tile repair bill, applying for an Iowa DNR fish-habitat grant, funding DNR-applied herbicide for Smith Lake, adopted its 2024–2025 annual report and approved a revised employee workweek.
Kossuth County Conservation Board Chairman Young called the Oct. 13 meeting to order at Water’s Edge Nature Center and members moved swiftly through a series of unanimous votes approving repairs, grant applications and departmental policy changes.
The board voted to pay an estimated $2,045 to repair damaged tile on county property at Eagle Lake Wildlife Area after drainage attorney Robert Goodwin advised the board it is responsible for tile repairs on county-owned land. Board member Rasmussen moved to approve payment; Eichenberger seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Staff member Stumme asked the board to approve applying for an Iowa Department of Natural Resources fish-habitat grant to fund construction of two rock fishing jetties at the Siems Park gravel pits. The jetties carry an estimated price tag of $45,000; the DNR grant would cover up to 90% if awarded. Board member Miller moved to apply and Eichenberger seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
The board also approved spending $1,122 for the Iowa DNR fisheries staff to apply chemical treatment to Smith Lake in spring 2026 to control excessive aquatic vegetation. Miller moved approval; Eichenberger seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Naturalist Wille and staff member Stumme presented the 2024–2025 Annual Report. After presentation, Eichenberger moved and Rasmussen seconded adoption of the report; the board approved it unanimously.
On personnel matters, Stumme outlined a new employee handbook adopted by the department that delegates defining work periods and overtime or comp time to department heads and boards. The board approved the handbook with one correction to the workweek definition: it will run from 12:00 a.m. Monday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Rasmussen moved approval; Eichenberger seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The board also approved the 50 bills submitted for payment, set its November meeting for Monday, Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Water’s Edge Nature Center, and adjourned after Miller moved to end the meeting and Eichenberger seconded.
These actions were routine approvals and did not finalize future planning items such as the Smith Lake restoration, which remains in active planning and funding discussion.
