County staff outline costs and fund strategy for farmland conservation

County staff explained how the Legacy Lands program is financed and why the county keeps a reserve. Danielle Cowley and lands manager Kevin Tyler said the program is supported by the conservation futures tax levy and a six-year capital plan; staff said they aim to maintain a minimum fund balance to cover recurring obligations such as debt service and maintenance.

"We're trying to keep 3,000,000 in the bank every every year," Cowley told the commission when describing the program's fund-balance policy and the need to cover predictable annual expenses. Staff said the conservation futures levy brings in about $3.25 million annually, debt service on a prior bond is roughly $700,000, and administration and stewardship responsibilities require ongoing resources. In the recent easement transaction staff cited roughly $600,000 expended for about 22 acres, equating to about $26,000 per acre; staff emphasized that appraisals are vetted by multiple appraisers.

Commissioners pressed whether small parcels (1-2 acres) could be practical; staff said parcels under the program's original 5-10-acre target may be challenging but could be considered if they score highly under watershed-based criteria and the rubric in the Natural Areas Acquisition Plan. Staff also noted that cities, land trusts and willing sellers can participate in proposals and compete for ranked funding within the capital plan.