Cache Open Space Advisory Committee Meeting - 5 January 2026

- The committee unanimously recommended the Champion Land Company LLC application for first-round approval and agreed to forward the full scoring report and discussion context to the County Council. Members noted the project’s relatively low score but emphasized its low cost, agricultural value, and potential to catalyze additional conservation easements in the area. - Discussion focused heavily on how to weigh project scores against funding amount, especially with the possibility of using Greenbelt money alongside the existing COSAC bond. Members agreed that cost per acre and total project cost should be part of future deliberations, even if they are not fully captured in the current scoring sheet. - Brian reported that Champion Land Company expects to seek about $200,000 from COSAC, with the landowner contributing roughly $447,000 in value. The committee also heard that the NRCS application is still pending and that federal funding levels may be limited, which could affect the project’s competitiveness. - The committee discussed the broader strategic value of the Champion property, including its agricultural significance, scenic vista, and potential to preserve dryland farming in Cache County. Several members said the project could help establish a precedent for similar landowner participation in the program. - The outreach letter to landowners was approved for distribution with minimal changes, and Eric offered to handle the mail merge and mapping piece if needed. The committee wants the letter sent soon, ideally in January, to increase awareness among landowners in targeted gateway areas. - Members reviewed the targeted outreach plan, which will go to roughly 150 landowners in key gateway corridors, and discussed possibly including a program notice in broader county mailings later in the year. The goal is to improve application volume, especially from properties that are too small to attract NRCS support on their own. - The committee identified the Greenbelt “kickback” or reimbursement mechanism as a potentially important funding source for smaller parcels and future projects. Keegan was asked to find out how that funding will be administered and whether it can be combined with the COSAC bond. - A fraud/scam issue was raised involving fake invoices that closely mimicked COSAC and county materials, including one sent to Vivian Christiansen. The committee asked staff and IT to consider adding a fraud warning or other safeguards to the application process and website. - The committee also discussed planning a landowner workshop or conservation fair in the coming months, with a February 4 event mentioned as a possible opportunity to present the program. Members said this could help recruit more applicants and improve outreach to landowners and local stakeholders. - Administrative updates included questions about committee membership vacancies and how interested people should apply for appointment, with staff indicating the county executive’s office is the proper starting point. The meeting also noted that future projects may be waiting on NRCS or other funding decisions.