USDA outlines compliance steps as Van Bibber Lake Conservancy discusses 5–10 year infrastructure plan

Mike Novak of USDA Rural Development attended the Feb. 21 meeting to brief the Van Bibber Lake Conservancy Board on RD compliance requirements. Novak told the board that the annual RD report is due March 1, that USDA now requires an Asset Management Plan for water utilities, and that board members must complete required training by the July and September deadlines. He also said water systems will be required to undertake risk-and-resilience planning and offered assistance using Gateway software to prepare the RD report.

Following the USDA update, the board discussed longer-term infrastructure planning. Topics included developing a 5–10 year infrastructure plan, wastewater improvement planning and available grant opportunities, federal budget constraints expected through 2026 that may affect funding availability, and the importance of engineering reports to support future grant applications. The minutes record that Christy Jarrell will pursue an OCRA grant to support wastewater improvements.

Board members noted the practical steps that will be needed to position the district for grants, including up-to-date engineering assessments and timely application materials.