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n <br /> AGENDA ATTACHMENT 24 <br /> SUPPLEMENTARY FUNDING FOR THE <br /> SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE <br /> Representatives of Soil Conservation have appeared before you concerning <br /> a supplemental budget request of $3,400 they would use to hire an additional <br /> technician during the last half of the current fiscal year. <br /> I am providing a copy of Mr. Cox's letter to me outlining their need for <br /> this service. <br /> Essentially the local agency had anticipated this need for funds, however, <br /> they felt the need could be met with funds they were to receive from their parent <br /> federal agency. Unfortunately, these funds did not materialize so the local <br /> office feels it has no alternative but to ask the Board of Commissioners to <br /> replace their shortfall. If this does not happen they feel some $256,000 in <br /> promised funding to local land owners for conservation practices is placed in <br /> serious jeopardy, <br /> The County currently provides approximately $29,000 annually to this <br /> agency, mostly for personnel. it is too early in our budget year to easily <br /> identify unexpended funds that might be used to meet this need, so the most <br /> realistic source at this moment is to utilize the contingency fund, if you <br /> elect to make this appropriation. <br /> In the long run this agency request seems based upon increased work load <br /> that is of a permanent nature. Therefore the request before you might reasonably <br /> be looked at as a continuing one rather than one caused by a temporary condition, <br /> I personally have reluctance to fill a vacuum caused by withdrawal of <br /> federal funds. If you feel however the loss of $256,000 for conservation <br /> practices is too great a price to pay, then I recommend we provide these funds <br /> on a temporary basis with the clear understanding these new funds will be <br /> reviewed against the background of the county's total budget next spring <br />