County hears $3.8 million in conservation bond projects; staff requests new natural‑resources FTE

Story County conservation staff presented the department’s FY27 budget and walked supervisors through revenue, grants and the impact of voter‑approved bond projects on the general‑fund presentation.

Mike Cox, Story County conservation director, told the board the budget request bundles Story County water, land and legacy projects with operating needs and bond projects. He emphasized that non‑tax funding sources flow into the general fund and are then expended there, which can make the general‑fund request look larger on paper. “General fund expenses in this budget have increased by nearly $2,000,000 for bond projects,” Cox said. “Total bond project related expenses in this budget are 3,800,000.0.”

Cox and staff explained that some listed revenues are awarded or anticipated grants; supervisors pressed staff to flag which grants are awarded and which remain pending. Staff identified a NACA grant ($120,000) for the Cambridge Tract acquisition and said several other grants are either awarded, partially awarded or still awaiting formal agreements.

Staffing: The conservation board and staff renewed a multiyear request for a full‑time natural resources specialist to support growing acreage and stewardship needs. Staff said the position would bring grant leverage and on‑the‑ground capacity; the net general‑fund ask after offsets is roughly $70,000–$72,000. Ryan (conservation staff) described the position’s duties — planning, partnership building, volunteer oversight and field supervision — and said the absence of the role is forcing staff to prioritize and defer some activities.

Supervisors’ concerns and next steps: Supervisors thanked staff for grant success but pressed for clearer accounting showing which line items are true property‑tax‑supported general‑fund asks versus grant or bond flow‑through. One supervisor asked for a separate breakdown of the net increase in general‑fund tax support and suggested follow‑up work sessions focused on long‑term maintenance obligations related to bond projects.

What happens next: Staff said they will mark grants as “awarded” or “requested” on the worksheet, provide a breakdown of actual general‑fund increases versus flow‑through funding and are available to schedule a bond‑focused work session for deeper review.