Boone County Conservation District
Jun 16, 2026
The lede
- Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Poplar Grove for access to village property to remove and reconstruct Bridge No. 9
- Board established a Long-Term Management Fund for Funderburg South Conservation Area Mitigation Bank, requiring an initial deposit of $18,841 growing to $122,131.17 when all mitigation credits are sold
- Board approved a $175,000 grant from Prairie State Conservation Coalition for land acquisition
- Attorney Deb Loos’s contract renewed at $700/month retainer with $225/hour rate for special matters
- Studio GWA to present concept design at July board meeting
Decisions & votes
Intergovernmental Agreement with Village of Poplar Grove - Approved unanimously (5-0). Authorizes President and Secretary to sign agreement granting district access to village-owned property for Bridge No. 9 removal and reconstruction.
Long-Term Management Fund Letter of Assurance - Approved unanimously (5-0). Authorizes Board President to sign letter establishing fund for Funderburg South Conservation Area Mitigation Bank as required by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Attorney Contract Renewal - Approved unanimously (5-0) following executive session. Attorney Deb Loos’s contract renewed at monthly retainer fee of $700 and hourly rate of $225 for special legal matters.
Land Acquisition Grant - Approved unanimously (5-0) following executive session. Accepted $175,000 grant from Prairie State Conservation Coalition for acquisition of land.
May 19, 2026 Minutes - Approved unanimously (5-0).
Accounts Payable - Approved unanimously (5-0) to pay expenses due through June 16, 2026.
Discussion items
- Executive Director Sage and Mark Freedlund met with Studio GWA on June 16; Studio GWA will deliver a presentation regarding concept design at the July board meeting
- Executive Director Sage summarized the Mitigation Banking Instrument, explaining the Long-Term Management Fund requirement
- Board entered executive session at 4:10 p.m. to discuss real property purchase/lease and attorney contract matters
Financial / operational notes
- May 2026 financial reports placed on file subject to audit
- Long-Term Management Fund for Funderburg South mitigation bank requires initial deposit of $18,841.00, with balance increasing to $122,131.17 by the time all mitigation credits are sold
- $175,000 grant approved from Prairie State Conservation Coalition for land acquisition
- Attorney monthly retainer: $700; special legal matters billed at $225/hour