TITLE
Title
NC SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION SHARED PERSONNEL MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
J. Leslie Bell (Rodney Wright)
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BACKGROUND
Background
This agenda item establishes a mutual aid agreement with the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. By establishing pre-arranged agreements, SWCDs can share resources, enhance technical expertise, and provide localized support, including during natural disasters (e.g., Hurricane Helene in September 2024). Mutual aid assistance among Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) is critical for accelerating disaster response, sharing specialized personnel and equipment, and reducing recovery costs. Recognizing the value of mutual aid and assistance for disaster recovery efforts, the delivery of employee technical training, and other mutually agreed-upon assistance, the Guilford Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors reviewed and unanimously approved the attached agreement at its October 1, 2025, February 4, 2026 Regular Meetings (attached), and approved a mutual aid agreement term of nine (9) years through June 30, 2035 at its May 6, 2026 regular meeting (draft minutes attached).
Counties are authorized to enter into such an agreement by NCGS 153A-11 and 160A-461 - 160A-464. Accordingly, implementation of such an agreement includes the NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (Association) developing and maintaining a Clearinghouse of resources consisting of a list of all participating Districts and Counties who have entered into such an agreement (see attached). The Clearinghouse includes an inventory of personnel, their acknowledged skill set, and the primary contact for each participating Soil and Water Conservation District. As such, the Association will provide from the Clearinghouse a list of resources to requesting SWCDs to assist cooperating Districts and Counties, as needed.
The attached agreement binds each District or County only to the extent resources are available, and the allowance of shared resources is on a case-by-case basis. The Guilford Soil and Water Conservation District, with this agreement, acknowledges that each party receiving aid agrees to protect, defend, indemnify, and hold the other parties free and harmless (see Section 9 of the attached agreement).
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Approve, in substantial form, the NC Soil and Water Conservation Shared Personnel Mutual Aid Agreement through June 30, 2035.
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