News & Notes January 2006

District Managers Take Action on LBFC Report

Adams, Cumberland, and Franklin County Conservation Districts recently adjusted their Erosion and Sediment Control Program (E&S) fees and review schedules to be more consistent in their region. This action was taken in response to criticism in the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) report. Specifically, the report cites inconsistencies among districts in reviewing E&S plans and the variance in fees for plan reviews.

The managers from the south central area of the state meet approximately every six weeks. At one of these meetings the managers, of their own initiative, decided to work toward increased consistency in the E&S program in their region.

The managers compared their fees and plan reviews. Since each district has different program expenses, responsibilities, and number of plans to review in a given year, the managers decided they couldn't be consistent in how much they charged for plan reviews across the three counties. Carl Goshorn, Cumberland County Conservation District Manager said, "the actual dollar amount charged for plan reviews isn't as important as how the districts charge fees." Residential fees were changed to be per lot and not per acre. Commercial fees were changed to be per disturbed acre. The three counties also became consistent on those who are exempt from payment such as cooperating agencies and municipalities. The review time was also made more consistent across the region. These changes were approved by all three district boards and will take effect January 2006.

This project demonstrated the value of managers getting together and talking about current issues in a strictly managers meeting. "The meetings are informal and offer advice. As districts we all do the same things but not in the same way," said Larry Martick, Adams County Conservation District Manager. The managers use each other as sounding boards during these "therapy sessions" as one manager called them.

"Of all the meetings I go to, this is the most important," said Larry. Smaller scale managers meetings have fewer attendees so more topics can be covered in greater detail. The manager's meetings in the south central region typically includes six to nine districts including Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, York, Dauphin, Lancaster and sometimes Lebanon, Perry and Juniata Counties. Carl Goshorn agrees. "The best meeting I attend is the regional managers meeting." Carl cited the information gained and seeing how other districts do things as being the most valuable. "I hate to miss one of those meetings. I feel like I've missed important information," Carl added.

Managers in other regions may want to meet and discuss the variance in fees and review time for E&S plans and other issues of regional importance. "No one knows the job better than us," says Larry. Advice from fellow managers can be invaluable especially if those managers are in the same region dealing with the same issues.

PACD Capitol Day
March 13, 2006
Crowne Plaza
Harrisburg, PA

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