BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING MINUTES
MEETING DATE: 10/18/2022
Meeting Location: HSWCD Conf. Room – Bert Harris Center
FINAL – Approved 11/14/2022
Recorded by: Susie Bishop
MEETING SCHEDULED START: 3:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: @ 3:07 P.M.
PUBLIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT READ BY CHAIRMAN
I. Welcome & Introductions
Dr. John Causey Chairman Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Steve Smith Vice-Chair Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Pam Fentress Supervisor Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
T.J. Wohl Supervisor Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Sara Sebring Incoming Supervisor
Scott Kirouac Liaison Highlands Co. Board of Co. Commissioners
Susie Bishop Ex. Director Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Kayla Nickerson BMP Tech. Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Carlos Torres District Cons. USDA-NRCS
II. Approval of Agenda
Motion to approve agenda as presented (Smith/Fentress) Unanimous Approval.
III. Approval of Meeting Minutes September 20, 2022
Motion to accept minutes as presented. (Fentress/Wohl). Unanimous approval.
IV. Financial Activity
a. Overview & Approval of Financial Reports- September 2022 – Review by Bishop of September Financial Reports. Motion to approve (Wohl/Smith). Unanimous approval. Final Budget Amendments for FY 21-22 will be on November Agenda.
V. Agency Partner Updates
a. FDACS – – Nickerson shared updates on IV and Cost-Share. No Action.
b. MIL –Bishop reported MIL Evaluations are above required amount. No Action.
c. NRCS –. Torres shared the various Hurricane Ian Recovery Programs available for agricultural producers and governments. No Action
d. HCBCC –Commissioner Kirouac reported on flooding issues due to Hurricane Ian. Also reported on search for new County Administrator and County Budget. No Action
VI. Old Business
a. Update on Lobbyist – Bishop reviewed the answer received from the Florida Association of Special Districts which stated funds in the General Fund Bank Account can be used to hire a lobbyist. Discussion to join with AFCD if they hire one. Consensus of Board to table any decisions regarding the hiring of a lobbyist.
b. CD Investments – Discussion about options. Motion made to authorize the Chair and Executive Director shop rates with a goal of purchasing 4 CDs at $ 125,000.00 or up to $500,000.00 total in CDs determined to offer best interest rate on 3 month, 6 month, 9 month and 12 month CDs (Wohl/Fentress). Unanimous approval.
VII New Business
a. Hurricane Ian Relief – Discussed in Agency Partner Updates Agenda item.
b. Executive Director Evaluation – Causey reported 4 of 5 evaluations were received. Bishop scored 404 out of possible 420 total score. No Action Taken
VIII. Executive Director’s Report
Items presented:
-Two candidates for the BMP Tech. position will be interviewed this week.
-No applications received to date for the MIL Tech position.
-Local Working Group will be at 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 2. Supervisors were asked to participate.
-2021-2022 Annual Report is being prepared.
-Climate-Smart Commodities Projects have been announced.
-Letter received from NRCS regarding the Fisheating Creek Structure.
-Decision to move Nov. 14 meeting time to 1:00 p.m. with annual Board Luncheon at Noon.
IX. Citizens Not on the Agenda – None
X. Supervisor Comments
Smith – None
Deen – None
Fentress – Concerns shared regarding school system shared with 51 teacher vacancies. There may be a request for funding for soil & seeds projects in schools.
Wohl – None
Causey – None
Meeting Adjourned at 5:02 p.m.