Board Members & Meetings

Montgomery County Conservation Board Minutes
Regular Monthly Meeting
August 24th, 2026

The Montgomery County Conservation Board held its regular monthly meeting on August 24th, 2026 at the Anderson Conservation Area Nature Center.  Board members present were: Jamie Oakleaf, Pat Victor, and Millie Newman.  Others present: Jared Spunaugle -Director, Cassandra Barbosa – Naturalist, Bryant Amos – Board of Supervisors. Oakleaf called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. A motion was made to approve the agenda by Victor which was seconded by Newman. All in favor, motion carried. A motion was made by Newman to approve the June meeting minutes which was seconded by Victor. All in favor, motion carried. The current bills were presented in the amount of $121,292.61 for expenses for the month of July and August so far. The bills reflected a large payment to Bobcat of Omaha for a skid loader/ brush mower purchase in the amount of $103,500. A motion to approve the bills was made by Victor and seconded by Newman. All in favor, motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

None

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Spunaugle reported that he has been building some new amenities at Hacklebarney Woods, replacing old amenities such as mounting blocks at the equestrian area, and a new dog-eared wood fence around the septic system at the shower building. Spunaugle advised that seasonal staff have done well this year, keeping up with the demands of trimming, mowing, cutting fire wood etc. Spunaugle is planning to rebuild 4 bridges on the Hacklebarney Woods hiking trails that need replacing starting this fall when the weather and busy season cool down. Spunaugle advised that he worked with the DOT to get new signs along highway 34 for Erickson Prairie and Hacklebarney Woods following the storms this spring. Spunaugle advised that the new Bobcat skid loader and brush cat has arrived and he has spent time adjusting to and using the machine to clean up lots of brush at Anderson Conservation Area. Spunaugle advised that he has been contacting and meeting with contractors regarding a potential dredging project at Pilot Grove Park. Spunaugle advised that the new fiscal year has begun and there have been changes and upgrades with the countywide software programs that are taking adjusting to. Spunaugle advised that he has recently joined CCPOA (County Conservation Peace Officer’s Association) and that he has training to attend on October 5^th-7^th this fall. Spunaugle reported that he and Barbosa have recently been certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED training.
NATURALIST’S REPORT:
Barbosa presented the board with the year-end naturalist report. 264 programs were presented by Barbosa from July 1, 2025 to June 30^th, 2026. 4,329 people attended programs. Barbosa spent 371.25 hours presenting in the 2025/2026 school year. Camps were finished in July, this year’s camps had record participation. Barbosa reported that she has scheduled all the schools for the 2026/2027 school year. Upcoming programs include the following: hybrid hunter’s education course (September 12^th), Wild Women in the Woods Retreat (September 18-20^th), and Barn quilt painting (October 22^nd). In June, Barbosa mentioned renovating the stream table to make it mobile and more accessible for programming. She has applied for a $10,000 grant to cover the cost of the custom box fitted for an enclosed trailer. She has been invited to present this project at the NRCS meeting on September 9^th, to explore partnership ideas.

OLD BUSINESS:

None.

NEW BUSINESS:

The board was presented with an estimate from Jeremy Clark ESB Clark Heavy Construction for the excavation and armoring of the pond located at Pilot Grove Park. Spunaugle and Barbosa reported that they are working on applying for grants to help fund such a project. The board discussed the estimate and pictures of the park in detail, discussing different disposal options of amount of sediment that could be removed from the pond. After discussion, Spunaugle advised that he and Barbosa would continue to gather information and data to hopefully present at the next meeting. Spunaugle advised that he would continue to work on getting additional estimates to compare with Clark’s estimate. Spunaugle also advised that he could contact county engineer Karen Albert for any additional insight or information she may have on the potential project. After discussion, no action was taken.

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:

ADJOURNMENT

Oakleaf asked for a motion to adjourn at 5:04 pm which was made by Vicor and seconded by Newman and the meeting was adjourned.

NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting is proposed to take place on Monday, September 28th, at 4 pm at the Wolfe Nature Center.

Respectfully submitted,
________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________
Director                                      Chairman                                            Secretary