In an effort to shore itself up against financial duress while it waits for state grant money to start flowing again, the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District has put some equipment up for auction on its website, including a 2011 Ford Super Duty F-350 with snowplow; a boat, motor and trailer; and a snowmobile trailer.

The F-350, which has less than 30,000 miles on it, is worth approximately $23,000 in a private party sale, according to Edmonds.com.

The district owes an estimated $175,000 in grant money to the state following the collapse of a risky fiscal strategy used by its former executive director to maintain operations in the face of rising costs and a faltering economy.

In the meantime, it’s been business as usual for the district, which has commissioned an independent audit of its books following a financial crisis in February.

A $32,360 grant from the state Department of Agriculture and Markets awarded last Tuesday is enabling the district to help a local farm protect water quality by establishing a stream crossing for animals, fencing to keep them out of the stream and watering facilities away from the stream. The money will also go toward establishing a buffer of vegetation around the stream.

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