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

Board Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, September 20, 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 – August 16, 2022

IV. Financial Activity
a. Overview & Approval of Financial Reports – August 2022– S. Bishop
b. Budget Amendments FY Oct. 1, 2021 – Sept. 30, 2022 – J. Causey & S. Bishop
c. Budget Adoption FY Oct. 1, 2022 – Sept. 30- 2023 – J. Causey & 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/Lobbyist – S. Bishop
b. SB 1078 – Future of SWCDs – S. Bishop
c. CD Investments – S. Bishop

VII. New Business
a. Staff Resignations/Vacancies – S. Bishop

VIII. Executive Director’s Report

IX. Citizens Not on the Agenda

X. Supervisor Comments

Next Board Meeting – October 18, 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: 9/20/2022

Meeting Location: HSWCD Conf. Room – Bert Harris Center
FINAL – Approved 10/18/2022
Recorded by: Susie Bishop

MEETING SCHEDULED START: 3:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: @ 3:03 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
Kayla Nickerson BMP Tech. Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District

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

III. Approval of Meeting Minutes August 16, 2022
Motion to accept minutes as presented. (Smith/Wohl). Unanimous approval.

IV. Financial Activity
a. Overview & Approval of Financial Reports- August 2022 – Review by Bishop of August Financial Reports. Motion to approve (Smith/Deen). Unanimous approval.
b. Budget Amendments FY Oct. 1, 2021 – Sept. 30, 2022 – Bishop presented the Budget to Actual Report and the proposed Budget Amendments. Motion to approve the Budget Amendments as presented (Smith/Wohl). Unanimous approval.
c. Budget Adoption FY Oct. 1, 2022 – Sept. 30, 2023 – Bishop presented Budget. Motion made to increase Ag Venture to $ 2000.00 and decrease Special Projects to $14,000.00 (Wohl/Deen). Unanimous approval. Motion to approve FY 22-23 Budget with approved adjustment as noted in first motion (Smith/Deen). Unanimous approval.

V. Agency Partner Updates
a. FDACS – Bishop & Nickerson shared updates. No Action.
b. MIL –Bishop reported new box trailer for hauling/storage of John Deere Gator was picked up today. MIL Evaluations completed are above required number. No Action.
c. NRCS –. Bishop reported Local Working Group meeting will be Nov. 2.
d. HCBCC –Commissioner Kirouac reported on several County Projects.

VI. Old Business
a. Kato Law Contract Answers – HSWCD & OSWCD are working to clarify if District funds can be used to hire a registered lobbyist. Also getting a proposal a different lobbyist, David Ramba. No Action.
b. SB 1079 – Future of SWCDs – Bishop reported updates on the Bill. No Action
c. CD Investments – Bishop reported rates from various entities. Motion to invest $350,000.00 in a 90-day CD if rate is at 3% or better via S. Kirouac’s broker and if broker has not received any cost share dollars via HSWCD. If rate is not at 3% minimum CDs will not be purchased (Smith/Deen). Unanimous approval. Bishop instructed to ask HNB penalty fee for early CD withdrawal.

VII. New Business
a. Staff Resignations/Vacancies – Bishop reported resignations of K. Deuberry & K. Lindsay. Position descriptions were distributed. No Action.

VIII. Executive Director’s Report
Items presented:
-Garden is almost at full capacity. Fall gardens being planted.
-A letter of support 4-H Camp Cloverleaf requested for a grant application
-Reported a summons for jury duty for Oct. 12
-An incident involving MIL Manager Pitts was discussed

IX. Citizens Not on the Agenda – None

X. Supervisor Comments
Smith – None
Deen – None
Fentress – Recent meeting with FFVA and Candidate W. Simpson encouraging for Ag. Climate Smart Grant recipients have been announced
Wohl – None
Causey – Distributed Executive Director Evaluation Forms, instruction Supervisors to complete and bring to the October meeting.

Meeting Adjourned at 5:14 p.m.