State Funding
Administration
History of State Funding for
Conservation Districts
1987
State legislature sunset local conservation district
state funding and gave authority to Districts to
seek up to 1 mill levy
$354,000 was received by Districts with a base
allocation to each district
1988
WDA and WACD worked on funding package
with more accountability built in for state funding
Legislature continued to fund Districts $354,000 –
this appropriation has continued to date
History (continued)
1990
WDA and local districts established a new state
funding process whereby Districts would submit
grant proposals for specific projects
WACD Board of Directors review and rank
proposals. Proposals are then reviewed by the
Board of Agriculture
Districts can obtain $4000 biennium base
appropriation if they meet certain criteria
History (continued)
2005
Based on input from Districts, WACD and WDA
developed new criteria for state funding. Also, to
lessen the administrative burden the process was
modified to a base allocation. Each District is
required to meet the criteria in order to receive the
appropriation. In addition, Legislature, during the
2006 session increased base funding to $600,000.
History (continued)
2006
The $600,000 appropriation will be divided
evenly among the Districts that qualify for
state funding. Districts will receive half of
the base appropriation in approximately
July of each year that they remain compliant
with the new state funding requirements.
State Funding Criteria
Financial Policies
(Adopted by Board of Ag 8/2005)
Proof of Bonding
Letter outlining implementation of Risk Management
Practices
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2 original signatures on checks
Perjury statement on vouchers
Bank statement reconciliation by board at least quarterly
Authorization to incur debt
Districts can’t use debit cards
Proof of enrollment in worker’s compensations,
unemployment insurance and local government liability
insurance
Must be submitted to WDA and WACD by August 30
State Funding Criteria
Base Allocation Policies
(Adopted by Board of Ag 8/2005)
Letter of compliance from Department of Audit
Proof of Budget Hearing
Letter of compliance from Department of Revenue
Long Range Plan with public notice pursuant to APA
Current Annual Plan of Work, Annual Report and Budget
Current Oaths of Office for supervisors
Education Function for elected officials
Currently have or are actively pursuing local funding
One page summary of activities for most recent fiscal year
Must be submitted to WACD/WDA by 12/31 each year
State Funding Timeline
July
Districts complete and adopt annual reports, plans,
budgets, etc.
December 31 deadline for submittal
January/February Even Number Years
• Wyoming Board of Agriculture reviews and takes final
action on the District state base appropriation
May/June
• WDA issues contracts for state funding
July/August
• WDA sends District appropriation
Water Quality Funding
State Appropriation
1998: Received initial appropriation of $367,000
from state legislature
2000: WDA allocated the $367,000 appropriation
for water quality
2002: Received appropriation of $657,000 from
state legislature
2004: Received appropriation of $657,000 from
state legislature
2006: Received appropriation of $657,000 from
state legislature
Water Quality Funding
Water Quality appropriation by Wyoming
state legislature districts are eligible for
reimbursement for:
Lab analysis
Water Quality Training Expenses
Equipment maintenance, upgrades and supplies
Request for reimbursement must be submitted
to WDA
Water Quality Funding (continued)
Funds need to be spent prior to end of
biennium
Questions regarding reimbursable expenses
can be directed to Dani at WDA at 7777323.
Water Quality Grant Funding
In addition to the funding for lab analysis,
training expenses, and equipment, $250,000
has been targeted toward local Conservation
District watershed planning efforts to
address impaired and threatened waters on
the 303(d) list. Each District is eligible to
apply for up to $20,000 per watershed for
the biennium.
Water Quality Grant Funding
(continued)
A request for proposals will be issued by
WACD in April.
The WACD Board will review and rank
proposals. Their recommendations will be
submitted to the Board of Ag for final
approval.
Funding will be available after July 1.
Reporting
Upon receiving funding, the District will be required to
submit:
Interim and final reports for the projects completed.
If the project will not be completed within the
biennium, an interim report is due by July 31st each
year, until all grant funds are expended and a final
report is due at the completion of the project.
**These reports will be due to WDA and WACD by July 31st of
each year. If these reports are not submitted by the deadline, the
District will not qualify for funding in the next biennium. WDA
will send a reminder in May that these reports are due.