Soil & Water Conservation District
Jul 8, 2026
The lede
- New parental leave policy adopted: Board approved 6 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave for district employees, updating from unpaid FMLA-only policy
- Unfavorable vote on commercial/industrial rezoning: Board opposed NRI 1826 due to high land evaluation score (85.2), displacement of prime farmland, and water quality concerns
- Strong district finances: Total funds of $533,620.68 across checking, savings, and Illinois Funds accounts
- NRCS received additional federal funding: Allowed 5 additional EQIP and 1 CSP application to be picked up in Boone County
Decisions & votes
Approved unanimously:
- June meeting minutes (Frank/Brahmstedt)
- Finance report showing $248,299.84 in checking, $15,065.58 in savings, $270,255.26 in Illinois Funds (Aves/Brahmstedt)
- Fair advertising on video wall, not to exceed $150 (Aves/Frank)
Policy update:
- Adopted 6 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave (30 working days) for employees using DeKalb SWCD policy as template (Aves/Frank)
NRI 1826 — Unfavorable recommendation:
- Voted unfavorably on rezoning 10 parcels from Rural Holding/Ag to Commercial/Business and Planned Industrial in Spring Township (sections 5 & 6, range 4E)
- Basis: LE score of 85.2 (above 69 threshold), displacement of prime agricultural land, potential water quality impacts to tributary feeding Coon Creek and surrounding wetlands (Aves/Brahmstedt)
Discussion items
Farmer’s for Soil Health program (PCM):
- New cover crop program starting fall 2026
- Cannot be stacked with other USDA programs
- 2,000 acre cap per producer
- Applications through Alexa Skirmont/PCM
NRCS updates:
- USDA reorganization occurring at national level
- Extra EQIP and CSP funding allowed 5 additional EQIP and 1 CSP application in Boone County
- 9 CRP contracts in progress (approximately half re-enrollments, half new)
- Josh Franks presented at LICA edge-of-field/drainage workshop in Freeport
- District Conservationists attending AISWCD summer conference
- New invasive species alert: Stiltgrass in woodlands, aggressive species moving north from southern Illinois and east; training scheduled with more info next meeting
SWCD administrative & project updates:
- FY26 grant administration and FY25 closeout in progress
- Workman’s comp audit and AFR completed
- Draft budget and APO preparation for August meeting
- Staff participated in Farm Breakfast with enviroscape groundwater model (with Winnebago County)
- I-Cover planning underway
- CPRG contract acre adjustments due to alfalfa planting
- Two waterway projects scheduled: one after wheat harvest (soon), one after soybeans
- NRCS assistance requested for pre-construction meetings and post-installation checkout
Erosion & sediment control:
- Multiple letters completed for small zoning requests
- Regular SESC checks completed for June
Financial / operational notes
Account balances (as of meeting):
- Midland checking: $248,299.84
- Midland savings: $15,065.58
- Illinois Funds: $270,255.26
- Total: $533,620.68
Administrative:
- Timesheets and mileage logs deferred for signing (Secretary/Treasurer Ratcliffe absent)
- NRCS agreement: Q1 and Q2 invoices paid, Q3 signed and submitted day of meeting
- Staff assisting with recent EQIP and CSP obligations
Attendance note:
- Jack Ratcliffe (Secretary/Treasurer) absent