About
Little Blue NRD
Little Blue Natural Resources District has the unique responsibility to protect our natural resources within the district through the promotion of conservation as well as proper management practices to ensure the future of our resources for years to come!
Where We’re Located
The Little Blue Natural Resources District is nestled in the heart of the district in Davenport. We proudly serve and support the producers, farmers, and communities in Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Webster, Nuckolls, Thayer, and Jefferson Counties. We’re responsible for helping to maintain 1,539,200 acres of land.
How We’re Funded
A variety of sources funds our operations, including the sale of conservation trees and services, assessment projects (self-supporting rural water systems), state and federal cost-sharing for projects and programs, and various grant programs. The primary source of funds, however, remains local property taxes.
Fiscal Year 2025 Budgets
Natural Resources District’s operate on an annual budget with revenues generated principally from local property taxes. In addition tax funds are often used to leverage other state and federal grants and funds.
The Fiscal Years 2025 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025) approved levy is 0.019037%. This equates to just over $19 for every $100,000 of property value. The Little Blue Natural Resources District’s total budgetis $15,338,007. The following is a breakdown of the FY 2025 Budget.
Income
- Cash and Investments 5.46%
- Local Sources 2.63%
- Federal and State Grants and Funding 8.19%
- Investment Income 0.16%
- Miscellaneous 0.01%
- Property Tax 13.13%
- Rural Water Income 66.35%
Expense
- Information & Education 0.49%
- Personnel 9.53%
- Operations 5.85%
- Projects/Programs 8.53%
- Rural Water 69.15%
- Water Management 3.19%
- Reserves 3.26%
Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Dues & Memberships
Nebraska Association of Resources Districts – $32,576
National Association of Conservation Districts – $1,776
Groundwater Management District – $500
Nebraska Water Resources Association – $1,950
University of Nebraska Lincolns Taps Program – $200
Soils Conservation Society of America – $180
Trailblazer RC&D & Twin Valley Weed Management – $400
Our Staff
The District employs eleven full-time professional staff responsible for carrying out the directives of the Board of Directors. Four full-time secretaries as well as one Technician are also employed and serve as District contacts in four of the local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices which lie within the District. The Rural Water Projects employ two part-time employees.
Scott Nelson
General Manager
The general manager oversees the general administration of the District as well as personnel management, budget, project development, District planning/policy, and Legislative activities.
Tyler Goeschel
Assistant Manager
Tyler’s duties include administration of the Groundwater Quality Plan, groundwater quality programs, project development support, planning, budget & finance, livestock waste permits review as well as data management and systems administrator.
Kevin Orvis
Project Manager
Kevin oversees the District’s Water Quantity Management Plan, water meter maintenance, static water levels, new well permits, drainage and surface water and is the Rural Water Projects Manager.
Tim Hecke
Operations Supervisor
This position is in charge of the Tree Program, Watershed maintenance, Recreation Area maintenance, Buffer Strip Program, Wildlife Habitat and equipment maintenance.
Landon Gardner
Natural Resources Technician
This position assists with chemigation inspections, water sampling, meter maintenance, groundwater department inventory and ultrasonic meter testing.
Lindsay Eichelberger
Water Resources Technician
This position is in charge of chemigation, assists with water sampling, ultrasonic meter testing, operator BMP promotion and new meter certification.
David Bergeron
Water Resources Technician
This position is in charge of chemigation, assists with water sampling, ultrasonic meter testing, operator BMP promotion and new meter certification.
Alicia Epps
Database Specialist
Alicia is the District’s Database Specialist. She is in charge of data entry and managing our Beehive database. Alicia schedules chemigation inspections and manages the certified acres. She also works with outside agencies on projects, grants, and cost share.
Kathy Boysen
Administrative Assistant
The job’s duties include Receptionist and Secretarial tasks, Records Management, Wellness Program, maintaining mailing lists and producing mailings.
Marie Herbek
Office Adminstrator
Marie’s duties include payroll, budgets, and all things accounting.
Jessica Hedges
Media & Communications Specialist
Her duties include Community Outreach, Social Media, Website Development, Information and Education, Recycling and Conservation Programs.
Rural Water Projects
Kevin Orvis, Rural Water Manager (402) 364-2145
Bruce Dux, Rural Water Superintendent (402) 300-0523
Paula Schultz, Billing (402) 364-3449
NRCS Field Office Staff
Rita Peshek, Adams County – NRCS Secretary
Katie Lepant, Clay County – NRCS Secretary
Sylvia Jividen, Fillmore County – NRCS Secretary
Vacant, Jefferson County – NRCS Secretary
Christine Zabokrtsky, Jefferson County – NRCS Technician
Jessica Hynek, Thayer County – NRCS Secretary
Lynetta Snelling, Webster County – NRCS Secretary