Meade County Conservation District to develop Web site By KAREN KENNEDY The Meade County Conservation District board of supervisors held its monthly meeting Sept. 25. Calvin Bohannon reported David Sawyer has stepped down as the head of Natural Resources Conservation Services, with the position now being advertised. The 2007 Farm Bill is still in the works, with input coming in from various organizations. At present, there’s no further news about office closings. B.J. Stith told the supervisors he will be starting a new position effective Oct.1 and will be working in Meade, Breckinridge, and Grayson counties. Since there is no full-time person in Meade, Stith will most likely spend three days in Meade, one day in Breckinridge, and one day a week in Grayson. The board voted unanimously to keep the conservation district tax at the current rate of 0.008. The subject of the 50/50 cost-share employee was brought up again. Calvin Bohannon suggested writing a letter expressing interest in pursuing such an employee. The board voted with all in favor to pursue the opportunity and to learn as much as possible about the salary and benefits. Jim Scott, John Bruington, and Charlotte Lawson will review the budget to determine if the funds are going to be available to seriously pursue such a hire. B.J. Stith noted all applications are sent to the state where they are ranked. The county then makes the employee selection. Liz Hawkins reported only one dead animal was picked up during the month of August and that the bill has already been paid. Hawkins talked about the value of her recent training at the Kentucky Association of Conservation District Employees convention in Jabez and how the classes she took taught her how to set up a Web site. Hawkins would like to develop one for Meade County, with help from a woman she met in Jabez who has offered to come out and provide assistance. The cost of the Web site will run roughly $135 for a year. The board voted in favor of the Web site development and approved the associated costs. Charlotte Lawson and Liz Hawkins asked for permission to attend the Just for Woman forum at the Galt House on Oct. 16 at a cost of $75 per employee. The board granted approval of their attendance at this forum. Nathan Beavin stated several landowners have complained to him about the ratings on state cost share. A letter to the Division of Conservation concerning its practices will be composed and sent. Charlotte Lawson reported several applications for the forage program have been taken but no completed ones have been submitted. Following the meeting, the committee spent some time looking at the applications to determine what is still needed.
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