All right, we will call to order the May 26th, 2026 meeting for the Whitewater Joint Power Board. I do believe uh we're on schedule for this to be the last meeting. Is that correct, Daisy? Good. So, it's uh
we uh kind of crazy, but uh just quick quick question, did we Why did we pick here? Just to something different? >> Whitewater Visitor Center was closed for staff training. >> Got you. I was curious about that. Yeah, I was just going to ask you last week in that email, but I just wanted to make sure it was here, so.
All right, with that, do we have any public comments? [sighs] Any public comments? Third and final time, any public comments? With that, we'll move on to approval of minute uh meeting minutes November 25th, 2025. Is there any discussion? >> Um
I just noticing a little discrepancy, it seems, unless I'm reading something wrong. Between like that final reconciliation detail. >> Page John James. >> Uh page one. >> Page >> Well, this page one, page one, page 13.
>> 13. Okay. >> And um from page 12 looked like the final balance was this $16.37. And oh, oh, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Reading something Oh, no, no. Sorry.
Page 14. From page 13 to 14. >> Yeah, the the 14 cents there. >> Uh yeah, it looked like that $30 didn't get added into the balance. >> Oh, it's $6.69 to $6.99.
>> Yes. Yep, $30. But, that's this $30.14. >> Yep, so it's reconciled. >> Yeah, yeah. Sorry. Yeah, my mistake. I guess I was misreading that. >> Oh, no worries. It just means that you're doing your job and checking it over.
>> Okay. Any other discussion? We have a motion to approve the minutes of November 2025. >> I'll move. >> Second. >> Motion by James, second by Lynn to approve the November 25th, 2025 meeting minutes. All those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye.
>> Opposed? Motion carries. All right. Approve agenda. Anybody have anything they needed to amend? I did not. Hearing none, do we have a motion to approve the agenda? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Second. >> Motion by Andy, second by James to approve the May 26th agenda. All those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> [snorts] >> Opposed? Motion carries. All right. Approve consent items. Any changes, Daisy? >> No. I've just got the two additional
checks. >> Mhm. >> Two of the expenses on there were approved at the last meeting, but haven't been paid yet. >> Right. Are we So, everything should be paid now, right? >> Um >> [cough and clears throat] >> so, depending on the signatures of the two additional checks, that will be all the payments I believe we need to make
aside from dispersing funds once we get pending a refund from MCIT. >> The only thing that I thought of sitting on this board for how many years was are we still going to be subject to an audit, and do we need to reserve funds for that audit?
>> I believe we decided no. And we have the other senior there. >> I read a past attorney Crance. >> And she thought we were okay. >> He thinks we're on track for dissolution. >> Okay. So, there we won't need a
Even with a partial year, we should be okay. They're not going to audit us. That was my fear extending it out of 25 into 6 was there to cover that 3,500 bucks. Okay. >> They also did the audit in liquidation so they they know that we're already
paying. >> Right. Cuz I think the audit date is February though, isn't it? >> It is. >> Yeah. So, but we're okay either way. >> Yeah, it would have had it had to have been in 2026 I think no matter what. >> Okay. >> The
numbers assume uh liquidation of some of the assets. There's a number in there that's going to be the actual but it there were assumptions made. >> I just thought, you know, in case something were to happen cuz it'd be hard to go back to the other counties and say, "Oh, by the surprise we have
this extra expense." And it's not a small expense, you know, so. Okay. All right, uh any other discussion on the consent items? Hearing none, do I have a motion to approve them? Any one of you three? Motion by James, do we have a second?
>> Second. >> Seconded by Andy. All those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Aye. Um opposed? Motion Motion's good. So, all right, board reports. We'll start down with Andy. Mr. Andy, we normally just kind of go through and discuss some things that are
happening in our uh either SWCD or county commissioner stuff, things like that. >> I guess the biggest thing we got is um I don't know if you're all aware or not but >> [snorts] >> Daryl Buck retired several years back and Wanda Anderson stepped up
to fill his shoes and we were never able to really find a uh replacement for Amanda who was office administrator. Um it was an overbearing job and she couldn't handle it and she decided
>> Wanda. You said Amanda. >> Oh, I'm sorry, yeah. >> Yeah. >> And I Amanda, Wanda, and Abby and I get those mixed up. It's just Wanda. >> Wanda. >> It's Wanda, Anderson. Yeah. So, um a few months ago she decided to step down back to her old position and then we're in the process of hiring
a new district manager. >> And there's an ad online. Um if anybody sees it on Facebook, it's you know, there's a post on that. >> Yeah, it's actually all over. >> Yeah, if you can share it there. >> Yeah, that's nice. >> I didn't realize this, but I got a call
probably last Monday or Tuesday. She had to apply to do it on a state level or something. State posting. And they called me to make sure that she was an employee of the county and had the authority to post that. And I mean we posted other jobs there
and we I never had received a call like that before. So. So, anyway, I got a hold of the gal and everything's fine, I guess. But, I guess it must be new protocol or something. So. Okay, that's all I got basically.
County business and Ross can give you more on that or you. >> I know a thing or two, I guess. Not much, but James, you got anything? >> Uh not a lot. Been a pretty quiet few months. Um not many cost share
contracts going out. Um Oh, had a little discussion about uh changing the the configuration from uh geographic to population basis, but
that was decided not to make any changes. So. Um other than that, nope. Nothing. >> Josh, I'd like to add one thing. Um last week we had our in um farm safety day.
Um back when this started, I really wasn't in favor of it cuz what does soil and water have to do with farm safety? Um but it's been extremely successful and the reason I'm bringing it up is because the
the people that involved in soil and water and the uh the people that helped put this on actually came down from the Twin Cities and as far as way as northern Minnesota and they tape the the whole thing
and they want to use that tape to get more um soil and water districts to put on a safety day. The reason we did it was because there's nobody else that does it. Um the benefits I am seeing from it and
now I back it 100% is we're educating youth on farm safety and in the same time we're getting them interested because we do the rainfall simulator and stuff like that for soil and water. And we're starting to get kids
interested in conservation. And um just for example, we did a coloring poster contest again this year. Last year we had 748 um people vote for the the winner.
This year we had a thousand 1,875. So we're getting parents now interested in soil and water. So because anybody that's on soil and water here know that people just don't know enough about what we do. And we got to advertise
what soil and water does and this is a good way to draw attention to what soil and water conservation districts do in each county. So I was kind of surprised then and impressed that they came down and taped it all and
they're going to use that as a promotional item throughout the state. So if your county isn't doing anything like it, you know, you might have the same feeling I did at first as what Why are we in safety? But, it goes beyond safety.
>> Okay. Thanks, Andy. Uh James, anything else on you? >> It's all right. >> Uh Our [clears throat] last meeting, I had mentioned that we we'd lost someone who was a technician. >> Mhm. >> But, he stayed in the same building.
So, we end up We did hire someone to take that spot. Maybe not so experienced, but luckily he can probably get some training from our other person that's in the same building, and he's agreed, you know, to help, too. >> [clears throat]
>> Well, sorry. Uh but, anyway, we we had a few choices, but we probably hired someone that was slightly less experienced, but it seemed like his mindset was as as you mentioned, more geared towards the kind of work we do,
rather rather than the past experience of the other person. They didn't really think about the conservation aspect as much and so forth. So, that's why we made that decision. So, hopefully that all work fine. I haven't had any feedback yet, cuz that was just my next meeting after that. So,
coming up 30 days or whatever. I guess that's all I've got. >> All right. Thanks, Sam. Um yeah, uh it's just been a crazy busy spring. Uh my actually haven't made the last two county commissioner meetings uh just because of the We haven't had a break. We had such a
long stretch of good weather that uh it was nuts, a lot of 16-18-hour days for almost a month straight. So, um but, just keeping up on the sidelines, you know, the comp plan still happening, road and bridge, a lot of our uh trailer on bridge committee. So, a lot of obviously in the spring a lot of those
projects start, so you start getting the calls about that. And um some little things going on, just some trivial things, you know, talking about the flag and different things like that, but uh it's kind of been business as usual. A lot of focus on the budget, um
a lot of focus on the state legislators. There's a lot of talk and buzz about um how these unfunded mandates coming down from the legislator, um from the state, and how it's affecting um municipalities and counties and
townships uh because we're required to fund some of these things that there's no funding for, and the only thing we can do is raise property taxes or cut costs, and um you know, you can only cut costs to a certain extent, so um it is getting we're starting to see some pushback. Hopefully, that pushback goes
clear up to the state, to you know, the the trifecta in power right now, and um just to try to help curb some of the costs that are being pushed down to us. So, in essence, it's making the counties and local local governments look bad because they have no way to fund a lot
of these things. So, um whether that's by design, default, or don't know any better, I don't know, but that is a lot of the discussion, so one of the big things was just scrutinizing our budget at the county, and something I've pushed very hard
since I've been on, and um it's really starting to happen. So, kudos to the county um this today we're not having one um just because >> [snorts] >> uh with uh obviously with our two cyber attacks, it's put a pretty heavy burden on um the staff just trying to deal with
the aftermath of that, so I completely understand we're not doing that, but I'm very appreciative for the numbers and information that they've been getting in front of us, so we have a kind of an ongoing history of what uh So, yeah, I always felt every board I ever get on, it takes you a couple of years just to figure out what's going on, and then before you know it, I sit
on a board like this for how many years, and everybody turns to you for the information. You're kind like, well, doesn't everybody know this? You know? So, uh you know, so it's it's something that I hope we can start. And so, as new commissioners get on board, they're not kind of starting over. They've got a book, they've got everything there to
kind of help understand better the finances of the county so that they they can get caught up to speed quicker. So, very appreciative of that. Curious to see how the comp plan turns out. Um and just you know, a few other action items that we're dealing with. So, um
that's all I have. Um more discussion and action items. Anything else? Board reports. All right. Board discussion and action item. Financial update, Daisy. >> Um yeah, so I'll go through Um you've got the summary on page seven of your
packet here. Uh if you look at the next page, so you'll see there is on page seven the one deposit earning $37. That's the last settlement of the quarter. And then, the next few months really just
interest, no additional expenses. Same with the savings, just interest there. And so, then our first action item here is to approve the 2025 audit. You should have copies there both in the printed packets here and then
bound on on the table there. You each get a bound copy. Um we used Katie Jacobson again for the 2025 audit, same as last year. Uh she will submit the statement to approve it today. >> And
So, I'm going to go back to this audit. The time frame from Jan 1 through now, there is nothing we need to do? >> No, she did the audit knowing that we were planning to >> Okay. >> disband. >> I just I want to make that very clear and on record. So, being as it's on
We're actually to the item. So, okay. >> Yeah, and then also in the packet here, you've got the significant deficiencies letter that highlighted the same items that typically get highlighted highlighted because of the size and staffing. Um and then the letter to address those charges governance of the Whitewater
also looked to be business as usual from what we've received in the past. Um so we would be um looking for approval of the 2025 audit. >> Any discussion on that? Motion to approve the 2025 audit.
Any voters? >> I'll move. >> Second [clears throat] it. >> Motion by Lynn, second by Andy to approve the 2020 2025 Whitewater Joint Powers Board audit. All those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed? Motion carries. Approved disposal of properties.
Disposal of properties not sold in public surplus or distributed to SWCDs. I just wanted to have that on audio what we're doing here so people don't get confused if they listen. So go ahead, Darcy. >> Yeah, so we did um I did reach out to the SWCDs after last
meeting. And got items to Winona and Wabasha County offices. Some items. And some things left over like the water quality monitoring probes and computer items have gone public surplus. Couple larger filing cabinets and some
other smaller other items. Coffee maker. A few of those items have sold and they just ended towards the end of last week so we're getting a full report of what's sold and what's left but you know, nothing of real high significant value. So anything
that didn't sell we'd be looking for permission to donate if possible or throw away if it's something that can't be taken for donation. >> Is there if it doesn't sell on the public surplus, but even with that if it sells after we close this meeting
Correct. How are you going to disperse those funds? >> So at they they will come after the close of this meeting. And that was that the auditor was aware of that, so she knows we will get that last small >> Did she just put an approximate value to it? >> Yep. >> Yeah, okay.
>> I think we estimated like $160, but I think it'll be less than that even. >> Right, okay. Um I guess theor- not theoretically, factually we do have to probably have a motion as to how we decide to do that. So, could
are you technically going to be in charge of this afterwards? Are you the person that's if we give you the authority to dispose as needed, would it be through you or Ross? >> Well, ultimately >> Through Ross, okay. >> It would be in that
>> So >> Essentially we could if if there are any items that that that I mean there's some stream minor turning as far as like turbidity the county could hold on to those and make that make sure you know that if the
SWCDs are not interested in in in uh just taking them >> Yep. >> we could hold on to them. Um but if there are other items that are clearly like there's two old coffee makers that you know we could just donate to them if you want to desire to do that. >> Yeah.
Well, where I'm at Ross is if we can if we can just generalize a motion here to allow to put you in charge of dispersing the under valued items. I'm going to call them under valued or under valued item meaning they're not really worth anything. Can we do that? And
>> I would I wouldn't say you know fine doing that or something. >> Yeah, just >> Or just simply dispose of as appropriate. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Just the under valued items disposed as appropriate. There's nothing up here of any financial gain. I believe it's over 500 or whatever the number is and off to the races we go. So So if somebody would
entertain a motion to do that, or I can make the motion myself. I'll make a motion to allow Ross Dunsmore to deal with I'm going to say the undervalued items um, left that don't sell at auction to dispose of them properly whether through
>> [sighs] >> uh, gifting um, or you know, donation or to try to figure out if any SWCD would like them. Is that a fair motion? >> I think so. I'll second that. >> All right, we got a motion and a second on that. Any other discussion?
>> You mentioned the $500 limit. >> I I don't remember >> [clears throat] >> As you said it's about 160 bucks. But we legally have to go through Yeah. We legally have to go through the step of doing it. So. So not to cap
$200. We'll throw that in there. At least it's official. Any other discussion? Fair motion? All those in favor of approving say aye. >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed? [clears throat]
All right. We did it the right way. Um, >> We will we will when we think it did not sell it did close. We're not sure We will get the report from administration as far as We last I think we got two of the items
have been sold. >> Yeah. >> Um, and then we would offer them to the next SWCDs again. >> Yeah. >> If they just want to take them if they don't >> Then donate them. Yep. We'll leave that at your discretion. Um, acknowledge resolutions and disbandment. Acknowledge the resolution
received from partners and formalize our disbandment. Your update, Daisy. Again. >> So in at the end of the packet here we've got resolutions for all the partner entities. To terminate the Whitewater Joint Powers
Board. So I think as part of this we would be just acknowledging that we'll disband and as far as we'd technically be setting a date of disbandment, but we'd be looking at something more general as far as you know, disbanding once the remaining
properties are dispersed through um the remaining funds are >> Do you have the sheet for me to sign today, Alona? >> Um for which one? >> To disband. Cuz I haven't signed it. >> It went through now.
>> Oh, she signed it. Okay. I didn't know if I thought Sheila said earlier that there would be an official one for me to sign as the chair for here. Maybe not. I That was 6 months ago, so. >> I will see if I can find something within her
notes, but if I do I'll I can send it to you. >> Yeah, just document. That's fine. Okay. >> And then I do have um using the figures from the end of April, so once disbandment is set here, so we
would remaining funds that we have would be dispersed to the three counties based on the number of acreage they have in the priority area. >> Prorated? >> Yep. Um if we use the end of April figures, it would be about 47,000
Olmsted, little under 46,000 Winona, and just about 29,000 to Wabasha County. You know, those aren't exact figures cuz they will have a couple payments left in here. Um so we have the chargebacks from the county that we're going to have those payable. >> Correct.
One of the questions I had on that n- that with we usually run about that 100,000. It goes up and down, you know. Um is any of that money s- and I got thinking about this a while ago, is any of that money still designated for some sort of grant block grant, something
that was supposed to go somewhere that we have to just so we don't >> So at at at at the disbandment meeting, the board did recommend to each of the county boards that they uh
provide those funds to the soil and water. Um so, that will be left to each individual county. Um I've already I've had a discussion with the county administrator and that too as a discussion I had for the one of our county board. >> Okay, good. >> how they want to use it.
>> I'm just making sure that cuz sometimes this money gets to us >> [snorts] >> with an earmark on it that says you can only etc. And it can't go into some sort of a general fund. So, a lot of times that's DNR stuff. >> Yeah, it was it's technically unrestricted so each county can determine
>> Do what they want to do. >> We'll bring forward to the board. >> So, that's a good it's so it's 100% unrestricted funds. Perfect. Okay. Any other discussion on that Dacey? >> Uh I just got >> [clears throat] >> clarification. This money goes actually to the county
board and not soil and water, correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. >> That was how it was written in the act. >> Okay. Just to make sure I was clear on that. Cuz the county funds yes, the county funds is not SWCD. >> The county boards then allocated to the SWCDs. That's what the
the board decided in November to recommend it. So. >> Okay. Any other discussion? >> Just cuz I'll probably report what you said like 49,000 to Olmsted, 47 to Winona,
and 2027. >> Um about 47 to Olmsted, Winona 46 and a little under 29 to Wabasha. >> 29. >> But that doesn't reflect we have two larger payments in here for the audit and for the county administrator. >> Right.
Okay. So, you take about 8,000 out of that probably, roughly. Give or take. So, I divide that out equally so you're you know. So, take three, three, and two type of a deal. So, take three off and two off from Wabasha.
Cuz the chargebacks are usually like 3,500 bucks and audits 3,500 5 and chargebacks are 3 to 4 usually. >> And that was assuming so as of the end of April 26th, we had between the two accounts 121,722.36.
>> Yeah. >> And there will be a refund coming for MCIT for the unused insurance once we once we complete termination of the coverage. >> I'm trying to remember what that is. It's a couple thousand bucks. >> 1,400 bucks.
>> Yeah, I was going to say somewhere in that range, yeah. >> Probably a few probably maybe a thousand probably less. >> Thousand bucks, yeah. I think it was 2,400 but yeah, 1,400 sounds right. Good. So, we'll go back and forth or that'll get separated out. Any other discussion on that?
Hearing none, we need a motion to acknowledge resolutions and disbandment. I'll second it. Do we have a second? I'll second it. Motion by James, second by Andy for line item C for acknowledge
resolutions and disbandment of the Wayland Joint Power Board. Are there any other discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. All right, agency
reports. What do you have for us? >> Nothing really to report. >> Nothing really I'm going to write that down. Nothing really to report. >> Nothing that would affect this board. >> Yeah, good. That's okay. Well, it was a short meeting.
I just obviously line item nine is is next meeting is none and that's a that's a crazy thing to see that. I've sat on this board for 10 years. I've chaired it for 6 years, I think. Maybe longer. Um
I just want to say thank you. Uh you know, this 10 years or somebody asked me about this. Was it just last week? And uh they said, you know, why is the Whitewater shutting down? And I said, it it's not because it didn't serve a purpose and it's not because maybe even necessarily it's it's it's it's a very
unique area. But clear back years ago when I got on the Whitewater on the STBCB board, the one watershed plan really changed a lot of things. And in a good way, maybe in some not so good
ways. Um I like local control. Um or like I said, we're seeing a lot of things being pushed down at a state level and local people trying to figure out how to pay for it. But the first thing I'm going to do is thank
everybody that started this and it came with a purpose. It came There was a need for it. When this board was started, there really was. And you know, 50 years or how long Grass was How long has it been? 50? I think 50. >> me. >> Yeah, it's it's a lot It's been a long
time. And there was a definitive need for this board. And the you know, really in reality, when another government entity starts, ultimately, you want it to end because it means you solved the problem, right? Cuz often times they start because there's a problem or there's an
issue or you need to do something or create something. And so really it's a it's kind of a I think a ending It's it's a way to actually it's a happy ending because in essence, we accomplished what this board accomplished. It took a number of years to do what it is that it needed to
do. And although I think the the the the slack's going to get picked up through other government entities, there was a need at one time to put a major focus in this area. And I still think there is a need because it is a unique piece of area in the country. The whole Driftless region is.
So, um thought a little bit about, you know, what and how and, you know, you you hate to see it. 10 years ago I just wanted to be very active. We met every month. We had a lot of projects. We were with the DNR. I think we said people that would come and
talk and and we just began to see that decline and um, you know, it just the the the one watershed plan really changed things. So, you know, several years back I said, "Hey, I think we can meet every 2
years." And we were right, we could. And then it was, "Hey, or every 2 months, excuse me." And then it was every 3 months. And the challenge with meeting every 3 months was more so on the administrative side of getting bills paid on time, just just administrative stuff. It wasn't so much the agenda what
we had. It was that. And that's when we started kicking around the ideas, "Hey, how relevant is this board? Can our SWCDs pick up the slack? Did it accomplish what it is that it needed to accomplish?" And I feel as though it did. To say that it didn't would I think be a disgrace to
everybody that sat on this board long before even I am as long as I've been on it. Um, and so I just want to say thank you on public record to everybody that's ever been here, everybody that's ever been part of it. Um, you know, losing Sheila was a big part, not that you wouldn't
have done a great job, but we really did rely on her for a lot of the grants, the block grants, the things that that kept the board going financially. And um, you know, just the cooperative effort between three counties and all the different commissioners and SWCD
agents that I've seen come through here just in my tenure. Um, I don't think anybody here is original. I think everybody's new, you know, like from the original board that we had. So, I think I'm the only survivor left and um, as you think about Matt Flynn and the guys that used to be on here, you
know. So, uh, at the end of the day, um, I just again I want to say thank you. I think it served its purpose. It did well. And um it's actually a happy ending because anytime you can to to to eliminate something it it served its purpose. So, I just want to encourage you guys to be
CDs and I know everybody that's here not everybody's here, but the people that are in the in the commissioners to continue to pay attention to this area. It is it is a unique unique area and um it uh definitely can't uh go unnoticed, you know. So, thanks again everybody that
was part of this and uh it's my pleasure to do and privilege to be the last chair to on the board. And um thank you again. So, thank you for your guys' work and the staff's work. I know Winona County's put a lot of time into this is kind of the
overseeing county to for this board. So, anybody else have anything? >> Thought you did a fine job summing everything up. >> Well, yeah. >> Yeah, I I I know I was a little reluctant when it sort of cropped up to
begin with. I mean this was several years ago. Um cuz uh Winona Lack really wasn't up and running and wasn't really very well, wasn't fully or- organized at that point and it
just seemed like there was still certainly work to to be done with uh with Whitewater, but uh yeah, I agree with what Josh has been saying that uh yeah, with uh with the establishment of Winona Lack
and um I think the idea or my understanding anyway that that a certain amount certain percentages dedicated to Whitewater. Um the Whitewater uh watershed.
Um that uh yeah, it seemed like it was sort of duplication that that wasn't really needed anymore and uh uh yeah. I'll have to frame this
>> Yeah. >> since it's so exotic. >> Well, you know, on that James, you know, it's it's the vision I always kind of had for the Whitewater a decade ago um was completely different than now.
But, I think with the onset and the public recognition of the SWCDs such as what Andy's talking about and you know, having sat on that board you know, it's a it's a board that I visit about try to visit about once a quarter. Um I was just down there. It's kind of difficult, but just to stay in
touch with things, but there just seems to be a lot more acceptance of it. And then you think in the early days there was a lot of pushback like, "I'm you know, so what? You're out here just here to tell me how to farm. You're here to tell me to do with your land." Now they realize what it's a resource. And because of that, it makes a lot
easier for community engagement. And unique areas like this, rather than having a government entity that's collecting per diems and staff time and everything else, I envision that if there's people that are passionate and all about about the areas that are just a community-led
situation, you know, that wants to be a some sort of Whitewater and and then come to the SWCD meetings, come to the county board meetings and say, "Hey, here's our concerns." Right? Um rather than having a government entity that at one time again was very necessary for this area to get it straightened out. Um
and and now we don't see quite the need for it. So, I just hope the community continues to stay engaged in it and of course bring their concerns to the existing government boards that we have in place. So, and make it a more streamlined. So. Thank you, James. Anybody else? Okay, hearing none, I guess it's my
privilege to ask for the last and final motion to adjourn. So, anybody have a motion to adjourn? >> So moved. >> We have a second? >> I'll second. >> All right, motion made by Andy, second by James to
adjourn the last meeting of the Whitewater Joint Power Boards meeting. All those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed? Hearing none, motion carries. Thank you, everybody. Appreciate everybody's hard work. >> Thank you.