# Scott WMO Planning Commission: October 26, 2026

The Scott County watershed management organization’s planning committee met on October 26, 2026, to review proposed updates to its tax-program policy manual and the preliminary 2027 budget. Manual changes discussed included streamlining natural-landscaping reimbursements, increasing the annual sediment-reduction threshold from 170 to 250 tons, increasing incentives for certain conservation practices, and removing animal-waste practices from the program. A member raised questions about project-ranking criteria, the two-bid requirement, and repayment provisions; staff will report at the next meeting on whether those comments are incorporated. No vote on the manual changes was recorded.

The committee reviewed a preliminary 2027 levy and draft budget that project a 4% levy increase, with an estimated average increase of about $13 for a median-value home; the levy and budget still require later county-board action. Highlighted spending included $100,000 for a wetland assessment and $90,000 for Corey Creek maintenance, with grant funding affecting whether some projects proceed. Staff also reported an amendment to Tom Klouse’s stream-bank stabilization contract totaling $26,471.14, shared among the WMO (a little over $15,000), the SWCD (just under $5,000), and the landowner ($6,626). The roughly $4,000 increase was approved administratively in September and presented for information; no committee vote was taken. The state’s aquatic invasive species funding is expected to be cut by 50% in 2027, and staff are exploring future funding options.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Environment
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 26, 2026

### Sources
- [Scott WMO Planning Commission: October 26, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmjoTO91M4k) - Scott County