Island County approves $227,000 in Conservation Futures maintenance grants

Island County commissioners on May 27 approved two Conservation Futures Fund maintenance and operations grants totaling $227,000 for county parks and the Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve.

The awards — $100,000 to Island County Public Works for county parks maintenance and $127,000 to the Whidbey Camano Land Trust for the Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve — were approved by voice vote during the board’s regular session. The board discussed the applications in a previous work session, and staff said acquisition requests will be considered at a later meeting.

Jen Schmitz, Island County Natural Resources Manager, summarized the program and applicants before the vote, saying the Conservation Futures maintenance-and-operations (M&O) funding helps “maintain the parks through hardscapes like sidewalks and trails and ADA trails … and restrooms and all sorts of things that keep the public happy when they visit these facilities.” When asked whether the awards are paid upfront or afterward, Schmitz said, “They are reimbursable grants. They’re, you know, invoiced as we go.”

The board moved quickly through the item; commissioners said they had discussed both applications at a work session a few weeks earlier. A motion to approve Island County Public Works’ application for $100,000 passed by voice vote. The board later moved and approved the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s application for $127,000 for the Keystone Farm And Forest Preserve. Meeting audio recorded two affirmative responses of “Aye. Aye.” following each motion.

County staff and the applicants will proceed under the Conservation Futures Fund program’s usual process for M&O awards, with projects invoiced to the county for reimbursement as work progresses. The board’s announcements during the session noted that acquisition project requests tied to Conservation Futures will be considered at a future meeting.

Less-central items during the session included commissioners’ routine announcements and the scheduling of two executive sessions later in the day under state law to discuss a real estate matter and potential litigation. The board adjourned into those executive sessions as listed on the agenda.