2 Miss. Code. R. 903-2.1
The soil and water conservation district will administer the local cost share program. A budget request will be prepared annually reflecting the need by practice. This information will be used by the commission in preparing its budget.
Each district will prepare a plan showing priorities. This plan will be sent to the Commission no later than June 1 prior to the fiscal year being funded (ex., July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, is fiscal year 2012). The district plan can be amended to change priorities by contacting the Commission. No district will receive cost share funds without a plan. (Refer to Exhibit 1)
The Commission will notify each district in April preceding program year for which funds have been requested of the anticipated allocation. Each district submitting a plan will receive notification of the exact allocation from the Commission by August 1. The district shall accept requests for cost share assistance at any time. Obligations for cost share assistance will be made after notification of allotment has been received by the district. Funds are considered obligated when the application has been approved for funding by the district and the applicant notified. After funds are obligated, they will remain obligated regardless of the funds that become available from any other cost share programs.
If a district fails to obligate all of the allocation by November 1, the unobligated amount will be withdrawn and reallocated to other districts by the Commission.
The district will review obligated fund registers each six (6) months to determine why the case has not been certified complete. When it is found that obligated funds will not be used by the applicant, the funds should be withdrawn in writing and re-allotted by the district.
When the practice is completed, the participant will use Form MCSP-2a to report practice completion to the district. For practices that require onsite technical assistance to apply, the technician will certify on form MCSP-2a that the practice does or does not meet standards and specifications. The district will execute the form and send to the Commission who will process payment.
The district will establish both an average cost and maximum cost for each component of all practices each year. The average cost will be used to obligate funds. Payment will be made based on documented actual cost. The landowner or operator must furnish documentation of actual cost. In no case, will payment be made above the maximum cost set by the district. A landowner or operator may not receive more than $3,500.00 cost share funds in any one program year. The district may cost share in the same field or on the same practice in which ACP cost share is used. However, the cost share rate cannot be exceeded. When an applicant receives or requests cost share funds to apply a practice from two services or programs, the cost documents (receipts) must specifically identify the component parts and cost for which payment is being requested from each program. The maximum amount of both ACP cost share and district cost share may be used in the same year.
The Commission will prepare cost share rates for all practices. These will be reviewed periodically.
The Commission will allow districts to group two or more landowners or operators together where practices benefit each. The district may allow each member of the group to earn the maximum amount.
2 Miss. Code. R. 903-2.1