Mahoning SWCD Announces 2026 Board of Supervisors Election

Mahoning County, OH – The Mahoning Soil & Water Conservation District recently announced details for its annual election of supervisors.

The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission will cause an election of Supervisors of the Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to be held in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code. Individuals who own or occupy land within the Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District and are 18 years of age or older may vote for Supervisor.

There are three ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot:

1. At the SWCD office, 850 Industrial Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44509, from 9/30/2026 until 10/29/2026 during normal business hours; or
2. At the SWCD Annual Meeting, which will take place at Poland Library, 311 S. Main St., Poland, Ohio 44514, on 10/29/2026 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; or
3. Voting absentee from 9/30/2026 until 10/29/2026, by requesting the ballot application and election ballot from the SWCD office at the following address: 850 Industrial Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44509, by calling 330.740.7995, or email askswcd@mahoningcountyoh.gov. Absentee ballots must be received by the SWCD office by 10/29/2026 at 4:30 p.m.

One Supervisor will be elected to a three-year term commencing January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2029.

Nominees are:

Kathy Miller

Gary Davenport

Meet the 2026 Candidates

Photo: Gary Davenport (left) and Kathy Miller (right)

Gary Davenport has served on the Mahoning SWCD Associate Board since January 2026. He chairs the District 6 Natural Resources Assistance Council, which reviews Clean Ohio land and water projects in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, and chairs Youngstown’s Shade Tree & Beautification Committee.

Davenport has worked for the Mahoning County Land Bank since 2015, with experience in land stewardship, native plants, pollinator habitat, and urban greening. Since 2022, he has also served on Mill Creek MetroParks’ Natural Resources Citizens Advisory Committee, where he has led public nature programs. Davenport is an ISA Certified Arborist and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist.

Kathy Miller is a real estate broker with Brighton Realty & Management and a Certified Residential Appraiser with more than four decades of experience in the real estate industry. She has overseen the sale of more than 15,000 residential, multi-family, new construction, and land properties. Licensed in Ohio and Florida, Miller’s professional experience includes real estate brokerage and management, regulatory compliance, and property management.

Miller is also an educator and public speaker who has taught at the college level and authored state-approved continuing education curricula. She previously served as a Boardman Township Trustee and holds a master’s degree in public administration.

About Mahoning SWCD

The Mahoning County Soil & Water Conservation District advances conservation of land and water resources through education, technical assistance, and stewardship. Established in 1950, the district provides programs and services related to community and school outreach, stormwater management, watershed protection, agricultural conservation, pond management, and other natural-resource concerns. The district is governed by a five-member volunteer Board of Supervisors and maintains its offices at 850 Industrial Road in Youngstown.

For more information about the election, contact the Mahoning SWCD office at (330) 740-7995.