Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District 
4505 George Blvd.
Sebring, FL 33875-5837
Board of Supervisors

Board Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, August 16, 2022 – 3:00 p.m.
HSWCD Conference Room- Bert Harris Agriculture Center

I. Call To Order, Welcome &Introductions

II. Approval of Agenda

III. Approval of Meeting Minutes
a. Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes – July 19, 2022

IV. Financial Activity
a. Overview & Approval of Financial Reports – July 2022– S. Bishop

V. Agency Partner Updates
a. FDACS – S. Bishop
b. MIL – S. Bishop & D. Pitts
c. NRCS Report – C. Torres
d. HCBCC – Scott Kirouac

VI. Old Business
a. Kato Law Contract Update – S. Bishop
b. 2022 SECDEA Annual Conf. Nov. 8-9, Pigeon Forge, TN – S. Bishop

VII. New Business
a. Agri-Tourism Forum-Sept. 13-14 – S. Bishop
b. Ag Venture – November 15-17 – S. Bishop

VIII. Executive Director’s Report

IX. Citizens Not on the Agenda

X. Supervisor Comments

Next Board Meeting – September 20, 2022 – 3:00 p.m.

** Citizens Not on the Agenda requesting to speak will be limited to 3 minutes unless additional time is allotted by the Chairman. The Chairman reserves the right to remove anyone from the meeting who is unruly or displays disruptive behavior.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING MINUTES
MEETING DATE: 8/16/2022

Meeting Location: HSWCD Conf. Room – Bert Harris Center
FINAL – Approved 9/20/2022
Recorded by: Susie Bishop

MEETING SCHEDULED START: 3:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: @ 3:02 P.M.
PUBLIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT READ BY CHAIRMAN

I. Welcome & Introductions
Dr. John Causey Chairman Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Steve Smith Vice-Chair Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Doug Deen Sec./Treas. Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Pam Fentress Supervisor Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
T.J. Wohl Supervisor Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Sara Sebring Incoming Supervisor
Susie Bishop Ex. Director Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Drew Pitts MIL Manager Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Kayla Nickerson BMP Tech. Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District
Kasey Deuberry BMP Tech. Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District

II. Approval of Agenda 
Motion to approve agenda as presented (Smith/Deen) Unanimous Approval.

III. Approval of Meeting Minutes July 19, 2022 
Motion to accept minutes as presented. (Wohl/Smith). Unanimous approval.

IV. Financial Activity
a. Overview & Approval of Financial Reports- July 2022 – Motion to approve Financial Reports. Motion to approve (Deen/Smith). Unanimous approval. Discussion and review of CDs by Board. Bishop will shop rates.

V. Agency Partner Updates
a. FDACS – Bishop & Nickerson shared updates. No Action Taken.
b. MIL – Pitts & Bishop reported FDACS will cover cost of ATV in full and it has been ordered. A box trailer will be purchased by FDACS for hauling and storing of ATV. Pitts gave update on evaluations completed to date. No action taken.
c. NRCS –. Bishop reported Local Working Group meeting will be scheduled soon
d. HCBCC – Bishop reported on behalf of Commissioner Kirouac.

VI. Old Business
a. Kato Law Contract Answers – No updates. Five SWCDs committed to participate contract with Kato Law.
b. 2022 SECDEA Annual Conference Nov. 8-9 – Bishop registered to attend and will assist with the conference registration.

VII New Business
a. Agri-Tourism Forum-Sept. 13-14 – S.Bishop distributed flyer and gave details known to date about event.
b. Ag Venture – November 15-17 – S. Bishop reported on Ag Venture and the steak dinner date conflicts with the Nov. meeting of HSWCD. Motion made
to move November meeting date to Monday, November 14 at 3:00 p.m. (Wohl/Deen). Unanimous approval.

VIII. Executive Director’s Report
Items presented:
-Bishop will attend a rule making workshop for SB 1078 in Gainesville on Aug. 17.
-Kasey Deuberry will be on maternity leave using FMLA for 12 weeks when baby is due in mid-October.
-Staff salaries and COLA increase figures were shared with Board.
-Motion to grant Kayla Nickerson a $ 5000.00 bonus in August (Fentress/Smith) Unanimous approval.
-Motion made to grant Kasey Deuberry an additional 5 days of leave for use during maternity leave and an additional 5 days of leave to be issued upon return to work increasing her paid annual leave for the year (Fentress/Smith).

IX. Citizens Not on the Agenda – None

X. Supervisor Comments
Smith – None
Deen – None
Fentress – Anyone in Jack Creek Watershed needs to be aware of new flood zone maps being created and be sure to comment if it affects you. SWCD could do more with/for Highlands County Schools. Federal programs – additional dollars coming available. Crop Disaster Recovery Company flyer shared. Wohl – None
Causey – None

Meeting Adjourned at 4:34 p.m.