Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, October 11, 2017 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Supervisor Corona called the October 11, 2017 meeting to order at 8:18 am.

II. Roll Call and establish quorum
BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☒ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☐ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve September 27, 2017 meeting minutes (Smith/Sellers). Unanimous. Motion
approved.

IV. Motion to approve FY 17 year-end financial report (Rutledge/Sellers). Unanimous. Motion
approved.

V. Staff Reports
1. Howard Harrison gave the NRCS program and emergency assistance report.
2. Ms. Kuipers and Murphy gave the cost share contract summary report and OSWCD
updates.
3. Ms. Lewis reported FDACS program updates.

VI. Unfinished Business
1. Motion to purchase a vehicle for a second technician position, as long as there will be
reimbursement for it in the contract (Sellers/Smith). Unanimous. Motion approved.

VII. New Business
1. Motion to approve the updated FY 18 budget to include the purchase of a new vehicle and
tablet devices for Supervisors (Sellers/Smith). Unanimous. Motion approved.

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. USDA Disaster Assistance and Hurricane Recovery Workshop Monday, Oct 23rd
2. OSWCD Board Meeting -November 8, 2017
3. Farm City Day Luncheon- November 16, 2017 KOA

IX. Adjournment at 9:15am

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, November 8, 2017 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Chairman Corona called the November 8, 2017 meeting to order at 8:03am

II. Roll Call and establish quorum
BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☒ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☐ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☐ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve October 11, 2017 Board meeting minutes (Rutledge/Smith). Unanimous.
Motion approved.

IV. Motion to approve October Financial Report (Smith/Rutledge). Unanimous. Motion approved.

V. Staff Reports
1. NRCS Program Updates- no report
2. Ms. Kuipers and Murphy updated the Board on activities and cost share balances.
3. Ms. Lewis updated the Board on FDACS activites and work load.

VI. Unfinished Business
1. Ms. Kuipers reported that per legislature that public funds can only be invested at a certified
public depository or the State Board of Administration (SBA) Investment Pool. These funds
can be ACH credited to the our existing SBA account. Motion to deposit administrative fees
into the SBA account going forward (Smith/Rutledge).

VII. New Business
1. None

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. Office Closed- November 10, 2017-Veteran’s Day
2. FY 17 Financial Audit- November 14,15 &17
3. Farm City Day Luncheon- November 16, 2017 KOA
4. Okeechobee AgVenture- December 13 & 14- in lieu of meeting

IX. Adjournment at 9:10 am.

No meeting was held in December.

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Supervisor Rutledge called the January 10, 2018 meeting to order at 8:00am

II. Roll Call and establish quorum
BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☒ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☐ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve November 8, 2017 Board Minutes (Sellers/Smith). Unanimous. Motion
approved.

IV. Motion to approve Financial Report- First Quarter-to-date (Smith/Sellers). Unanimous. Motion
approved.

V. Staff Reports
1. Howard Harrison,NRCS District Conservationist (DC) discussed NRCS priorities which are
all emergency programs before EQIP and CSP. Mr. Harrison remains the acting DC for Ft.
Myers/Naples Service Center.
2. Courtney Murphy and Audrey Kuipers gave the OSWCD program update regarding
educational programs and audit.
3. Ms. Kuipers reported on FDACS contract balances.

VI. Unfinished Business
1. None

VII. New Business
1. Motion to approve entering into FDACS Contract 25021 that Expires 6/30/2020
(Sellers/Smith). Unanimous. Motion approved.
2. Ms. Kuipers handed out Supervisor tablets and set up Board emails on them. She will
send all electronic communication to the Board to the new SWCD emails to eliviate
Supervisors using personal phones and computers for Board business.
3. Supervisors seats up re-election in 2019 are Seat 1- Mariano Corona, Seat 3- Don Sellers,
Jr, Seat 5- Glynn Rutledge. Qualifying paperwork will need to be completed June 2018. All
Supervisors are required to complete financial affidavidts by July 1, 2018.

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. Land Judging and Envirothon Planning
2. AFCD Board meeting- Saturday, January 13, 2018- Chiefland
3. Area Land Judging Contest – Wednesday, February 21, 2018
4. Indian River Lagoon Envirothon- Friday, February 23, 2018
5. Poster Contest Deadline- March 2, 2018
6. Area IV AFCD Meeting (hosted by H & OSWCD) Thursday, April 26th- LaBelle, FL

IX. Meeting adjourned at 8:47am.

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, February 14, 2018 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Supervisor Rutledge called the February 14, 2018 meeting to order at 8:08am

II. Roll Call and establish quorum

BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☐ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☒ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve January 10, 2018 Board Minutes (Smith/Sellers). Unanimous. Motion approved.

IV. Motion to approve the February-to-date financial report (Sellers/Burnham).

V. Staff Reports
1. Howard Harrison gave the NRCS program updates and Emergency Watershed Protection
(EWP) projects approved with Okeechobee BOCC. Mr. Harrison answered questions
regarding the infrastructure of the upcoming Farm Bill.
2. Audrey Kuipers gave the OSWCD program and cost share update.
3. FDACS program updates were given during new business.

VI. Unfinished Business
1. None

VII. New Business
1. Mr. Harrison discussed the required NRCS Annual Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity
policies with the Board. Board members signed.
2. Leslie Lewis updated the Board on her job assignments and FDACS program outreach.
3. Audrey Kuipers gave an overview of SWCD moving into the vacant lease space. The
Board recommended advertising the lease space in the paper until the next Board meeting
to hear Supervisor Corona’s thoughts on the topic.
4. Ms. Kuipers discussed the possibility of more funds being awarded through the NRCS
Contribution Agreement Modification for additional services. Ms. Kuipers will get better
clarification on the fund being available for this current year, or the next.

VIII. Public Comment
1. In regards to a landowner concerned about USDA-NRCS wetland restorations and not
meeting with adjacent landowners, the Board felt that it is private property and that NRCS
has protocols already in place to avoid offsite impacts to adjacent land.

IX. Upcoming Events
1. Area Land Judging Contest, Smith Ranch & Grove – Wednesday, February 21, 2018
2. Indian River Lagoon Envirothon, Smith Ranch & Grove- Friday, February 23, 2018
3. Poster Contest Deadline- March 2, 2018
4. If we have posters- Okeechobee County Fair, March 13-18, 2018
5. Area IV AFCD Meeting Thursday, April 26th- LaBelle, FL Note: After Board meeting the
AFCD meeting has been changed to Thursday, May 3

X. Adjourned at 9:14am

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Supervisor Corona called the March 14, 2018 meeting to order at 8:18am

II. Roll Call and establish quorum
BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☒ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☐ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☐ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve February 14, 2018 Board Minutes (Sellers/Smith). Unanimous. Motion
approved.

IV. Motion to approve Februay-to-date financial report (Smith/Sellers). Unanimous. Motion approved.

V. Staff Reports
1. Howard Harrison,NRCS District Conservationist (DC) discussed NRCS’ priority is still
emergency programs before EQIP and CSP. Mr. Harrison remains the acting DC for Ft.
Myers/Naples Service Center.
2. Courtney Murphy and Audrey Kuipers gave the OSWCD program update regarding
educational programs and audit. They also presented a NACD Promotional Video to the
Board.
3. Ms. Kuipers reported on FDACS contract balances.

VI. Unfinished Business
1. Motion to support Chairman Corona’s suggestion on staff establishing space in the 5th
Street building. (Sellers/Smith). Unanimous. Motion approved.
2. Ms. Kuipers explained that the NRCS agreement that was previously presented is indeed
for funds that can be used this year.

VII. New Business
1. Ms. Dayton Buxton and Mr. Jared Prescott presented the Board with plans on the
Okeechobee High School Ag Department grounds. They have been working with FDACSOAWP,
an engineer and other community supporters. They were looking for support from
the Board. The Board is in favor of supporting the project through the Educator Grant
process.

2. Long Range Plan Session was tabled. The Board would like Ms. Kuipers to present
samples of other District plans, instead of havng an outside mediator come in to assist the
Board in coming up with a plan.

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. NACD Poster Contest- Okeechobee County Fair, March 13,18,2018 (Soil Trailer)
2. FDACS Stakeholder and Partners Meeting, April 18th Gainesville
3. FDACS BMP Workshop April 25-27, 2018
4. Area IV AFCD Meeting (hosted by H & OSWCD) Thursday, May 10- LaBelle, FL

IX. Meeting adjourned at 10:00am.

No meeting was held in April.

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, May 9, 2018 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Supervisor Rutledge called the May 9, 2018 meeting to order at 8:06am.

II. Roll Call and establish quorum
BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☐ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☒ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve March 14, 2018 Board Minutes (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous approval.

IV. Motion to approve April Financial Report (Sellers/Smith). Unanimous approval.

V. Staff Reports
1. Kara Butts gave NRCS program and office updates. Howard Harrison is still acting District
Conservationist in Naples/Ft. Myers.
2. Audrey Kuipers gave OSWCD program and personnel updates

VI. Unfinished Business
1. Long Range Planning Session- tabled for June meeting

VII. New Business
1. Motion to approve $1200 for Personnel Handbook through Attorney David Miklas and
amend budget to reflect expenditure. (Sellers/Smith) Unanimous approval.
2. Motion to approve hiring former Conservation Technician, Jenna Platt as a contractor to
complete the Soil Trailer Design, not to exceed $2000 (Burnham/Sellers) Unanimous
approval.
3. Motion to approve FDACS Contract 24401 Amendment 3 and amend budget to reflect
expenditures. (Burnham/Sellers) Unanimous approval.
4. Motion to request the $43,0000 BOCC Grant Agreement for FY 19. (Burnham/Sellers)
Unanimous approval.
5. Motion to accept the FY 17 financial audit as presented by Cheryl Williams, CPA at Wicks,
Brown & Williams. (Sellers/Burnham) Unanimous approval.

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. May 10, 2018 Area IV AFCD Meeting- Labelle (Board Supervisor)
2. May 16, 2018 Cost Share Annual Meeting- FDACS Okeechobee (Board Supervisor)
3. May 22, 2018- Ag Literacy Day-North Elementary 27 classes
4. May 22, 2018- Career Day- Okeechobee High School
5. May 24, 2018-Smutgrass Field Day- Ona REC
6. June 8, 2018- Soil Education- Peace Lutheran School

IX. Adjournment at 9:45am

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, June 11, 2018 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Supervisor Corona called the June 11, 2018 meeting to order at 8:05am

II. Roll Call and establish quorum
BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☒ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☒ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☐ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☐ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve May 9, 2018 Board Minutes (Burnham/Rutledge). Unanimous approval.

IV. Motion to approve May Financial Report (Burnham/Rutledge). Unanimous approval.

V. Agency Partner and Staff Reports1. NRCS Program Updates-no report
2. FDACS Program Updates-no report
3. OSWCD Program Updates- Audrey Kuipers gave personnel program updates

VI. Unfinished Business
1. Long Range Planning Session- tabled until full Board is present

VII. New Business
1. Motion to purchase a vehicle for South Dade SWCD and seek reimbursement from FDACS
(Burnham/Rutledge). Unanimous approval.
2. BOCC Budget Workshop- Supervisor Corona will attend if needed.

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. BOCC Budget Workshop July 19
2. Area Wide Training- August 2, Place TBD
3. AFCD Annual Meeting- August 23-25 Ocala, FL
4. Next Board of Supervisors Meeting- September 12th

IX. Adjournment at 9:10am.

No meeting was held in July or August.

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, September 12, 2018 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Supervisor Corona called the September 12, 2018 meeting to order at 8:03am

II. Roll Call, establish quorum and introduced Ashely Avant and Mikayla Allison as the Osceola and
Okeechobee(respectively) based District Conservation Technicians.

BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☒ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☒ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve June 11, 2018 Board Minutes (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous.

IV. Motion to approve the Financial Report- Fiscal Year-to-Date as presented (Burnham/Sellers).
Unanimous.

V. Staff Reports
1. OSWCD- Ms. Audrey Kuipers gave updates on all Board programs and functions. Awards
from the Association of Florida Conservation Districts were given to Supervisors Corona and
Rutledge for over 20 years of service. Years of service are as follows: Corona-24 years,
Rutledge-21 years, Burnham-13 years, Smith-11 years and Sellers-3 years.
2. NRCS- Mr. Harrison gave updates on Farm Bill programs and USDA Service Center.
3. FDACS- no report

VI. Unfinished Business
1. Natural resource concerns within Okeechobee County were discussed. The start of the
Long Range plan was reviewed and Ms. Kuipers was given a direction for the draft.

VII. New Business
1. Motion to approve the promotion of Courtney Murphy, Program Assistant to full time at
$15/hour (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous.
2. Board was in favor of providing Employer Provided Health Insurance Policy, however the
decision on how much the allotment for a policy would be was tabled until the Board can
review quotes for themselves. Action item: Ms. Kuipers was directed to have more quotes
for next meeting.
3. Motion to approve the purchase of a work truck for administrative staff up to $27,000.00
(Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous. Action item: Ms. Kuipers was told no by local dealerships
when asked if they could match state contract pricing, the Board wanted to give them
another try before moving ahead with the provided Alan Jay Fleet Sales quotes. Supervisor
Corona was assigned to speak with Gilbert Fleet Sales.
4. Motion to approve Small Farms Nutrient Management Program Application- Jackie Allen
at $4,000.00 (Sellers/Burnham) . Unanimous. Action item: The Board would like for Ms.
Kuipers to provide the NRCS Conservation Plan with the applications.
5. Motion to approve the Okeechobee County AgVenture Educator Grant Application at
$4,000.00 (Sellers/Smith). Unanimous.
6. Motion to approve the FY 18 Budget Amendments with the addition of Capital Outlay for
$27,000.00 (Rutledge/Smith). Unanimous.

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. IRL Envirothon Planning Kick-Off Meeting-Fellsmere September 13
2. Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Workshop- September 20

IX. Adjournment at 11:30am.