The Tama County Conservation Board met in regular session on Wednesday, January 4, 2006, in the Nature Center Library, Otter Creek Park.

Chair Adolphs called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Members present were: Adolphs, Anderson, Benda, Little and Wiese. Also present: Jim Porter, Tama, Etzel and Wise.

Minutes from the regular session of December 7, 2005, were read. Moved by Wiese, seconded Little to approve the minutes as read, carried. (All voting aye)

The following bills were presented:

BILLS SUBMITTED, BOARD MEETING, JANUARY 4, 2006
TO BE PAID FROM GEN'L FUND
		Amount of Bill	Category Total
0001-6100-113-22-013 Health Ins- Co Share
Health Ins Fund	Etzel Family for January	1,307.70	1,307.70
0001-6100-260-22 Office Supplies
Staples Credit Plan	#5773777001 misc supplies	132.40	132.40
0001-6100-414-22-990 Telephone
Iowa Telecom	17Dec05, 484-2231 (office), 484-4157 (payphone)	112.67
	17Dec05, 484-5314 (shop)	48.81
Verizon	16Dec04, 484--5314 (shop)	8.53
	16Dec04, 484-4157 (payphone)	8.53
	16Dec04, 484-2231 (Office)	19.34
		197.88	197.88
0001-6110-101-22-223 Salary- Main Supervisor
Wise, Craig	2-Dec-05	1,305.60
	16-Dec-05	1,372.92
	30-Dec-05	1,305.60
		3,984.12	3,984.12
0001-6110-101-22-224 Salary
Dolash, Ron	2-Dec-05	1,189.60
	16-Dec-05	1,189.60
	30-Dec-05	1,189.60
		3,568.80	3,568.80
0001-6110-113-22-013 Health Ins- Co Share
Health Ins Fund	Dolash family for January	1,307.70
	Wise for January (life insurance only)	2.60
		1,310.30	1,310.30
0001-6110-250-22-050 Mt Veh- fuels
New Century FS, Inc.	#339003 218 gals unleaded gasohol @ $1.4452/gal	315.04
	FET (LUST)	0.22
	State fuel tax @ $0.19/gal (218 gals)	41.42
		356.68	356.68
0001-6110-253-22-050 Mt Veh- Tires
Z Line Tire & Repair	#1-32392 tire changes (2)	16.82	16.82
0001-6110-254-22-050 Mt Veh- Minor Repair
CQ Auto Parts	#462240 round tube, all season truck, credit (-22.46)	25.39
Southard Implement Co.	#02-178611 linch pins (2), filter element	46.24
	#02-43240 Repair '01 JD1445	563.17
		634.80	634.80
0001-6110-292-22-052 Main & Supplies
Air Filters Sales & Services, Inc.	#0155156-IN 12- 19x23-7/8x1 filters for NC	65.82
Dolezal Farm Supply	#2409 bird food for NC- black sunflower, cracked corn	16.50
Hrabak Lumber	#0041244 1- 1x12x12 cedar	26.28
Pamida	#349044 coffee (NC), cat chow	10.85
Radio Communications Co.	#96156 repair alarms (NC)	563.50
Spahn & Rose Lumber	#2605892 electric eyes (2)	20.38
Superior Welding Supply Co.	#S35055 1 tank oxygen	24.75
Tama County Highway Dept	9Dec05 parts for plow (new truck), 14Dec05 1.75T salt @ $45.65/T	580.55
		1,308.63	1,308.63
001-6110-431-22-990 Electricity
Grundy Co REC	OCP thru 8Dec05, 6,430 KWH- meter #1, 4,190 KWH- (NC)	643.57	643.57
	Total Bills Submitted, Gen'l Budget		13,461.70

Moved by Anderson, seconded Little to approve bills, carried. (All voting aye).

Reports and Correspondence. Staff, Work. Wise updated board members on December work including moving snow, building bird feeders for Nature Center, installing wood duck houses on several different facilities./ Winterfest Etzel reminded board members that the staff will be attending the annual training workshop in Waterloo. Several board members voiced an interest in attending the workshop on Tuesday of the event. Etzel will get materials to them./Mounts loaned to Nature Center John Keenan, Tama, has loaned three mounts to be used in the Nature Center for an undetermined length of time. The mounts include a coyote w/pheasant, a large beaver, and a fox.

Jim Porter, Tama, addressed the Board regarding some conservation projects that he felt were important to Tama County. Porter spoke of the interconnectedness of natural resources scattered along the Iowa River corridor and the important role they could play in economic viability of the area. He encouraged the Board to envision a project that would stretch from the western edge of Tama County as far east as Iowa City and beyond to the Mississippi River. This project would include trails connecting communities and natural resource facilities and provide recreational opportunities for cyclists, hikers, boaters, atv’s, etc. As part of this project he felt that Cherry Lake located in Tama west of the paper-mill could be a very important part of the project. He felt development of the Cherry Lake property could be an important player in boosting the local Toledo/Tama economy.

The Conservation Board thanked Mr. Porter for his input and encouraged him to come again to the Board if he had a specific proposal for them to consider. The existence of the Iowa River Corridor Project following the floods of 1993 and the Ioway Trail Committee (facilitated by the Iowa Valley RC&D) were shared with Mr. Porter.

The Board discussed the proposed FY ’07 Conservation budget as presented by Etzel. Etzel relayed that this was one of the most difficult budgets to finalize in the twenty-seven budgets he has put together. Issues at hand included volatility in prices of gasoline, electricity, and LP heating fuel coupled with possible salary adjustments, equipment purchases and developments. The following budget was presented to the Board:

2006- 2007 TAMA COUNTY BUDGET WORKSHEET					Approved by Board:
Dept Name: Conservation Dept No.: 22
					Proposed
CAPITAL PROJECTS	Actual	Actual	Budgeted	Re-estimated	Budget
Description	2003-2004	2004-2005	2005-2006	2005-2006	2006-2007
Buildings-Perm Improvmnt
001 0210 610 22 642	47,931.00	33,773.64	33,774	33,774	33,774
Buildings-Perm Landscape
001 0210 624 22 000
Activity Totals	47,931.00	33,773.64	33,774	33,774	33,774
			Proposed		Proposed
	Actual	Actual	Budget	Re-estimated	Budget
ADMINISTRATION	2003-2004	2004-2005	2005-2006	2005-2006	2006-2007
Salary- Director
001 6100 100 22 661	34,067.00	34,748.04	35,790	35,790	39,063
Part Time & Temp Emp
001 6100 101 22 668
FICA (7.65%)
001 6100 110 22 010	2,606.00	2,658.24	2,738	2,738	2,988
Salaries
001 6100 110 22 110
IPERS(5.75%), '04 9.07%, '06 9.23%, '07 9.12%
001 6100 111 22 011	3,032.00	3,207.24	3,303	3,303	3,563
Group Insurance
002-6100-113-22-013	12,601.00	15,692.40	15,696	14,385	14,437
Unemployment Comp
001 6100 116 22 014	82.00	0.00	82	82	85
Stationery & Forms
001 6100 260 22 990	642.00	598.21	953	850	950
Magazines/Books
001 6100 261 22 990	91.00	35.60	80	80	80
Wearing Apparel
001 6100 294 22 990	0.00	348.60	250	250	250
Off Pub, Legal Not
001 6100 400 22 990	174.00	532.27	500	700	500
Postage
001 6100 412 22 990	64.00	91.89	500	400	500
Employee Mile/Subsist
001 6100 413 22 990	454.00	523.80	550	503	550
Telephone
001 6100 414 22 990	1,677.00	2,080.72	1,900	2,375	2,400
School of Instruction
001 6100 422 22 990	801.00	485.76	700	650	600
Dues & Memberships
001 6100 480 22 990	545.00	525.00	550	550	550
Office Equip & Furniture
001 6100 636 22 990	200.00	0.00	200	200	600
Activity Totals	57,036.00	61,527.77	63,792	62,856	67,116
			Proposed		Proposed
PARK MAINTENANCE	Actual	Actual	Budget	Re-estimated	Budget
& OPERATIONS	2003-2004	2004-2005	2005-2006	2005-2006	2006-2007
Main Supv/Ranger
001 6110 101 22 223	32,824.00	33,599.87	36,008	36,114	36,784
Conservation Tech
001 6110 101 22 226	29,501.00	30,268.80	32,342	32,236	33,373
Seasonal Workers
001 6110 101 22 224	20,103.00	18,542.58	23,297	22,456	23,343
FICA (7.65%)
001 6110 110 22 010	6,306.00	6,304.51	7,011	7,011	7,153
IPERS (5.75%)
001 6110 111 22 011	3,584.00	3,672.37	3,930	3,930	4,034
Health Ins- Co Share (Pk. Main.)
002-6110-113-22-013	15,010.00	15,723.60	15,732	15,732	14,509
Fuels
001 6110 250 22 050	4,810.00	6,476.72	5,200	7,500	7,500
Tires & Tubes
001 6110 253 22 050	1,121.00	2,113.39	778	778	1,746
Minor Motor Vehicle Parts
001 6110 254 22 050	2,971.00	6,361.88	3,500	6,600	5,000
Minor Equip & Hand Tools
001 6110 290 22 050	365.00	156.79	346	346	160
Recreational Supplies
001 6110 292 22 052	24,728.00	29,606.14	30,836	30,836	30,836
Wearing Apparel
001 6110 294 22 050	169.00	252.44	230	230	230
Natural & LP Gas
001 6110 430 22 990	4,450.00	6,135.25	4,600	6,500	7,000
Electric Light & Power
001 6110 431 22 990	10,350.00	9,698.52	10,500	11,000	11,500
Buildings
001 6110 441 22 052	187.00	20.66	0	0	0
Agricultural & Horticultural
001 6110 630 22 990	15,830.00	0.00	0	425	20,000
Motor Vehicle
001 6110 635 22 050	0.00	18,799.00	24,000	16,500	0
Shop Equipment
001 6110 637 22 990	440.00	0.00	540	540	495
Activity Totals	172,749.00	187,732.52	198,850	198,734	203,663
Health Ins- Co Share (Admin.)
002-6100-113-22-013
Health Ins- Co Share (Pk. Main.)
002-6110-113-22-013
Activity Totals			0	0	0
Department Totals	277,716.00	283,033.93	296,416	295,364	304,553
TAX REVENUES REQUESTED
					Proposed
	Actual	Actual	Budgeted	Re-estimated	Budget
Description	2003-2004	2004-2005	2005-2006	2005-2006	2006-2007
TAX REVENUES	240,176	245,494	254,941	253,889	263,078
OTHER REVENUES	37,540	37,540	41,475	41,475	41,475
Department Totals	277,716	283,034	296,416	295,364	304,553

The Board reviewed and discussed the machinery and vehicle replacement strategy relative to the budget. Difficulties in maintaining an adequate balance in the “Machinery & Equipment” and “Motor Vehicle” budget categories to address fluctuating needs between budget years was discussed. Wise explained the need to rotate the commercial mowers through the system on three year intervals and why this is of benefit to the Conservation operation and the county. A major difficulty is trying to minimize peaks and valleys in the amount requested for these categories to assist the Supervisors in annual budgeting. Because two trucks were purchased over the past two fiscal years the mower rotation had to be stretched out resulting in two mowers heading into their fifth and sixth mowing seasons. Ideally, due to wear and tear, increased maintenance, and increased downtime experienced with these units the conservation board would like to purchase two mowing units during FY ’07. After considerable discussion it was moved by Anderson, seconded Benda that to try and stay within a minimal amount of growth in the budget that the budget reflect 1- ½ mowers in the FY ’07 budget with the intent of budgeting for the other ½ in the FY ‘08 budget, carried. (All voting aye) [Note: Etzel will discuss this strategy with the Supervisors.]

Etzel provided information regarding how Conservation Salaries have slipped relative to other county employees since the last salary adjustment agreed to in the fall of 1999. [Adjustments went into effect on 1Jul00] Etzel proposed adjustments to correct the gap. The Board was in agreement that adjustments should be pursued but would not be possible without the cooperation of the Supervisors. Suggested changes were as follows: Director current salary of $35,790/yr to FY ’07 salary of $39,063.70 (+9.14%), Maintenance Supervisor/Park Ranger from current base wage of $16.07/hr to FY ’07 base wage of $17.06/hr (+6.16%), Conservation Technician from current base wage of $14.62/hr to FY ’07 base wage of $15.68/hr (+7.25%). The Board would discuss these adjustments at a special session between the Conservation Boardand Board of Supervisors slated for 5Jan06.

Any formal motion on the proposed FY ’07 Conservation budget was tabled until meeting of 5Jan06.

After discussing conservation topics of interest it was moved by Benda, seconded Adolphs to adjourn. Adjourned 9:30 p.m.

______________________ ______________________

CHAIR VICE-CHAIR