By Mari Radtke
The O’Brien County Conservation Board met Wednesday March 9. An early order of business was the discussion of accumulated compensation time. Conservation policy is for employees to use their compensation time by April of the year following its accumulation. Travis Scott, the new director has accumulated approximately 400 hours of “comp time.” He does not expect to be able to use much, if any in the near future. Mark Wilson, Park Ranger, will be away for the next several weeks at the law enforcement academy. The vacancy created by the departure of Amber Wetherell also keeps Scott’s plate very full, right as the organization is preparing to open parks for the camping season on April 15. The board approved the carry over until April of 2023.
Scott reported to the board the availability of a DNR community forestry grant. The grant is a 1 to 1 match. He explained that the O’Brien County Sportsmen’s Club has put up $1000 toward that match. Should Conservation win one of those forestry grants the 2000 total dollars, according to Scott, would go a long way for trees in the parks. He said he was planning on a couple trees at Dog Creek and Douma park each, with more at Mill Creek Park. Mill Creek Park trees had been decimated from age, infestation and/or disease. Scott said he didn’t want to do more at this time. His biggest concern with planting more trees was the time required to water saplings. He said he was being cautious about the trees to be purchased noting that Emerald Ash Borers have been reported in the area. The board approved the application.
Doug and Deb Ebel were the only bid for the Mill Creek Concession stand. The bid is solicited every 3 years. The Ebels bid for 1 year with an option for the next 2 years. It was approved.
Scott reported to the board that he started a conversation with Osceola Rural Water about a possible management agreement with them for some well site property west of the Prairie Heritage Center long the Little Sioux River. It is about 36 acres. Conservation owns a few acres along the river in that area that is CRP and some is a filter strip. No decisions were made. Consideration for a 3-year row crop lease is part of the discussion.
The board held a lengthy discussion about the staffing of the organization. Scott presented the board with promoting Naturalist Abbie Parker to Environmental Education Coordinator and Ranger Mark Wilson to add Operations Supervisor to his duty list. Each, under Scott’s plan was considered for a $2000 per year salary increase. Each would be responsible for their current duties plus supervising seasonal staff under their respective specialties. Parker would also be responsible for volunteer coordination at the center. Under this structure, Scott included an office manager to oversee business operations and some operations at the center as well. After a lot of discussion, the board agreed to this structure and set the recruiting salary of the office manager at a range of $38,000 to $46,000 per year.