Codington County conservation district asks commissioners for $25,000 to cover seasonal labor

Deanna Kungl, district manager of the Codington County Conservation District, asked the Codington County Board of Commissioners on April 21 for financial support to keep the district’s operations running and to cover rising seasonal labor costs.

Kungl told the board the district’s revenues have declined since the 1990s and that the district’s net income at the end of the most recent year was $20,000 — “and that’s not enough to keep us going,” she said. She described increased operating costs for labor, fuel and equipment repair, fewer CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) plantings that once provided income, and aging planting equipment that is expensive to maintain.

The district’s pitch included examples of what nearby counties contribute: “Clark County provides $14,500 to their district. Day County provides $12,500. Grant County gives out $25,000,” Kungl said, asking the board to consider a county contribution in the $25,000 range to cover roughly half of the district’s seasonal labor costs.

Dan Con, a conservation district board member who accompanied Kungl, and other district representatives outlined education and outreach efforts the district runs — tree-planting events, “rangeland days” for youth, a master gardener program, equipment rental for no-till seeding, and work on erosion and water-quality projects. They said those services benefit both rural producers and town residents.

Commissioners asked for a written budget request and supporting materials. The board asked staff to include a formal proposal in the upcoming county budget cycle; county staff requested the district submit its written budget ask by May 31 so it can be considered in the county’s budget entry process.

The meeting record shows no appropriation or formal county commitment at this time; commissioners directed the district to submit the written request for consideration during budget deliberations.