Meeting called to order by Chairman Wiese at 9:05 a.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met.
Present: Zowin, Lehman, Wiese, and Craker from the Committee; Hanusa-FSA; Brereton-NRCS; Van Berkel and Pohle-LCD. Bernien and Cassity were absent.
Adopt Agenda: Motion by Lehman/Craker to adopt the agenda. Motion carried, all in favor.
Adopt Minutes of Previous Meeting: Motion by Lehman/Craker to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried, all in favor.
Appearances: There were none.
Training events: Motion by Craker/Lehman to approve the list of training events. Motion carried, all in favor.
Bills: Bill summaries were distributed to the Committee members. Motion by Lehman/Craker to approve bills in the amount of $9,482.11. Motion carried, all in favor.
Correspondence: Van Berkel distributed copies of the latest Thursday Notes.
Reports:Brereton reported that the money has not been received for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), but the final rules are established. Project funding needs to be committed by October 1, 2003. The dollar amount is down from previous estimates but Sauk County will receive approximately $197,000. There will be enough money to fund the 22 applications that we currently have with some money leftover. The Farmland Protection Program received $1 million in the state and has dedicated a portion of this to match funds paid through the Sauk County Purchase of Development Rights Program. The Wetland Reserve Program received $6 million, and it is already committed. The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program will be taking applications until Friday for $300,000 of funding.
Hanusa reported on a new USDA-FSA program for crop disaster which started taking signups on June 6. The Conservation Reserve Program has 55 signed offers, much lower than expected.
Van Berkel reported on the elimination of the Farmland Preservation Program (FPP) in the proposed budget passed by Joint Finance. Farms with agreements can remain in the Program until their contracts expire but zoning credits would end upon budget passage. The elimination of the program would save the state $24 million in tax credits. In Sauk County the impact will be the loss of approximately $400,000 in credit payments by exclusive agricultural FPP participants the first year and then increasing to $550,000 in reduced credits as agreements expire. The compromise to agriculture was a new assessment designation for the woods and wasteland (swampland) related to an agricultural operation and a limit to taxes on that designation. Statewide this change is estimated to reduce tax bills by $26 million. This shift from an income tax credit to a decrease in property taxes shifts the cost of this benefit on agricultural land from the state to the counties and other local municipalities. It also eliminates the link to conservation and the protection of these lands from development that was previously required to receive the benefit. The proposal also reduces the state dollars for staffing grants by $500,000 because of the reduced workload. Van Berkel emphasized that FPP has been very effective in Sauk County as a tool to reduce erosion, protect land from development and provide tax relief to farmers and has played a big part in our department's accomplishment of goals.
Wildlife Damage Program Funding Issues: Van Berkel informed Committee that the state may be taking some money out of the Wildlife Damage Program for CWD. This could impact the amount of funds available for future damage payments.
Adoption of 2004 Mission-Vision-Goals:Van Berkel reviewed the LCD mission and vision previously discussed by the LCC. Van Berkel then presented proposed programs and goals for each of these program areas for the 2004 year. Motion by Lehman/Craker to approve the 2004 mission, vision and goals. Motion carried, all in favor.
White Mound Dam Project Update:Van Berkel reported that the County has closed on both Nachreiner's and Ellefson's property. The proposed dredging plan will be sent out to DNR by the end of the week for preliminary review. The draw down is proposed for after Labor Day. Vosberg and Van Berkel will be going to the Highway Committee regarding the dredging plan for advice and comment.
Approval of 2003 Nonpoint Grant Agreements:Van Berkel presented the grant agreements from DNR for the cost-share amounts budgeted for 2003. Approval of these grants will provide the funds from the state to the county to use to reimburse landowner expenses in the Narrows Creek Project up to $615,327 and in the Dell Creek Project up to $163,140. Motion to approve these agreements by Zowin/Craker. Motion carried, all in favor.
Approval of Farmland Preservation Agreement - Eldon and Colleen Heck: Motion by Craker/Lehman to approve the 10-year agreement for Eldon and Colleen Heck. Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion to adjourn until July 17 at 9:00 a.m. by Zowin/Craker at 10:45 a.m. Motion carried, all in favor.
Respectufully Sbmitted : Kathy Zowin, Secretary