published: Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Bishop to lead SWCD

By BARRY FOSTER

News-Sun correspondent

SEBRING - For the first time in a long time, the Highlands County Soil & Water Conservation District will have an executive director.

Susie Bishop has accepted an offer extended following a special meeting of the Soil & Water Conservation Commission board earlier this month. Bishop most recently was involved in an unsuccessful bid to be the Republican candidate for Highlands County Supervisor of Elections.

The Commission's mission reportedly is to "provide leadership to help people conserve, improve and sustain the natural resources and environment of Highlands County."

Bishop, former development manager at Blue Head Ranch and sister of Highlands County Commissioner Ron Handley, was offered the post for an annual $50,000 salary plus benefits. Those benefits reportedly include $400 per month for health insurance, a cell phone and mileage reimbursement when a district vehicle is not available.

She also will be eligible for a possible 10 percent merit increase after a 90-day probation period.

The Highlands County Soil & Water Conservation District was created in 1942 and originally was known as the Istokpoga Soil Conservation District, covering only the area south and east of Lake Istokpoga. The district was expanded in 1946 to cover the entire county and was then renamed the Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District.

As executive director, Bishop will be responsible for rallying political forces to protect the natural resources of Highlands County and local control over their use, formulate plans to interact with other state and local agencies and boards to cultivate cooperative funding opportunities and applying for grants that further various conservation education programs.

Those are listed as specific goals for the commission on their website.

The vote to hire Bishop was not unanimous, with Soil & Water Conservation Commissioner and former Highlands County Commissioner Audrey Vickers on the short end of a 4-1 vote.

Bishop is slated to begin work this coming Monday, Oct. 22.