Job cuts. Employee furloughs. Reduced office hours.

In an era of economic upheaval, public agencies are pinching pennies like never before.

But at the headquarters of the San Juan County Conservation District, they’re breathing a little easier knowing there’s a decade worth of dedicated funding in store.

In a unanimous decision, the County Council on Aug. 31 approved renewing a $5 parcel fee that’s help to bolster the district’s financial outlook the past five years and, at the request of the district’s board of supervisors, agreed as well as to double — from five to 10 years — the duration that the fee will remain in effect.

Also known as a property assessment, that fee is expected to generate roughly $75,000 in 2010, or about one-third of the district’s budgeted expenses. It accounted for roughly 50 percent of those expenses a year ago, but covered only about 25 percent the year before, according to district Supervisor Vicki Heater.

The $5 fee was first enacted in 2005. Unlike a property tax, that fee is not tied to the value of a particular property. Properties classified as “designated forest land” pay 10 percent of the assessment, or 50 cents.

According to Administrator Pete Rose, a recently revised budget submitted by district officials shows it will use $17,500 of the revenue generated by the fee on the technical assistance it provides land owners, $17,500 towards its incentive programs and about $38,000 on overhead and basic costs to “keep the lights”.

Though it pays for only a portion of the district’s expenses, Heater, along with several others who testified at the Aug. 31 public hearing, noted the fee and the revenue it generates acts as a financial backstop and allows the agency to pursue and secure other sources of funding, such as state, federal and private grants.

By joining forces, WSU Extension Agent Tom Schultz said the local extension office and the conservation district have been made significant strides in helping property owners improve the use of their land and in protecting the islands’ natural resources even though the two agencies are relatively small by themselves.

“Together we’re able to do more collectively than we’re able to do individually,” Schultz said.

Established in 1964, the San Juan County Conservation District is one of 48 conservation districts in Washington. It provides technical assistance to property owners to help conserve and protect natural resources, such as soil, water and natural habitat. District programs include detailed planning for forests and farms, restoration of Garry Oak habitat, soil surveys, low-impact development and the protection and restoration of estuaries. Renown for its annual plant sale, the district, which now has four full-time employees, is an independent, non-regulartory agency governed by a locally-elected Board of Supervisors.