Tama County Conservation Board Member Needed

Please fill out the Boards and Commissions Application under the Supervisors section. 

County Conservation Board

County conservation board members are appointed by the local county board of supervisors to five-year staggered terms. The Conservation Board must hold monthly public meetings. Three board members shall constitute a quorum - with business only being conducted when a quorum is in attendance at a regularly scheduled monthly board meeting or a special meeting called by the president of the board as required in Section 350.3 of the Iowa Code.
   

The job of a board is two-fold: Policy-making and Administration. In setting policy, the board decides what it wants to accomplish. Administration is finding ways to carry out the policy.

 County Conservation Law, Chapter 350

The five members of the county conservation board are a decision-making and policy-making body appointed by each county board of supervisors. The board’s authority includes the acquisition and development of land, adoption of rules and regulations, comprehensive planning of an overall county conservation board program and specific site plans for individual areas. Other functions of the board include hiring an executive director and staff, developing a budget, and working with other governmental subdivisions to provide programs for the public. The primary consideration of the board should be to provide a balanced conservation, recreation, and education program to the citizens of the county through proper planning and identification of needs and demands. The county conservation board can be the primary county agency dealing with natural resource issues in its county.

County Conservation Board’s Job

The job of a board is two-fold: Policy making and Administration. In setting policy, the board decides what it wants to accomplish. Administration is finding ways to carry out the policy. There are five questions a good board should ask: 1. What do we want to accomplish to help the organization fulfill its purpose? (Setting policy and establishing goals) 2. What is the road map to follow? (Formulating guidelines, making plans, suggesting alternatives, considering public input) 3. How will we pay for it? (Getting and spending money) 4. How will we reach our goals? (Identifying activities, establishing priorities, delegating responsibilities) 5. Did we succeed or fail? (Evaluation) Remember that planning is synonymous with survival, and a good board provides for the good of the organization, natural resources, county, and the public. One of the board’s major responsibilities under Subsection 350.4(6) is to hire and fix the compensation of a director, “who shall be responsible to the county conservation board for the carrying out of its policies.” Board members are not responsible for the day-to-day operations or supervision of the staff below the director. These are the responsibilities of the director.

Meetings

Meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Tama County Nature Center 2283 Park Road in Toledo.