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County may cut Extension funding in new budget
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009 9:51 AM EDT
CORUNNA - In an attempt to reduce the county's 2010 budget by about $2.1 million, county officials are considering a number of options - including eliminating funding for the Michigan State University Extension office.
County Administrator Margaret McAvoy recommended making the Extension cut, among other things, earlier this month.
Monday, the Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners requested McAvoy find a way to continue funding the program during its Finance and Administration committee meeting.
“I maintain my recommendation... but, of course, it is my responsibility to carry out whatever direction you decide to go in, “ McAvoy said Monday. “MSU Extension is an organization that offers great programs, but it is not a requirement to receive county funding. Its parent organization, MSU, is its major funder. We would still provide the facility.”
Commissioner Jaime Pavlica said the Board is in a tough situation.
“We have a struggle with mandated versus non-mandated services,” said Pavlica, the committee chairman. “Those that receive the mandated services aren't real happy when you don't cut non-mandated services first, so that's the struggle we face. I'd like to see that balanced out, and I think we've done a pretty good job with that. But, I am very concerned about MSU Extension being cut.”
Commissioner Henrietta Sparkes said she did not want to see 4-H programs affected by the budget cuts.
“I know that money is really short, but I would like to be able to keep our 4-H program going. I know that comes through the Extension Office,” she said.
MSU Extension requested $108,534 from the county next year. But Shiawassee County MSU Extension Director Joe Bixler offered another option that would require only $34,866 from the county.
“That proposal included a three-day-a-week operation,” Bixler said. “In other words, if we receive the $34,866 we could only be open three days a week. If we receive less than that it is likely we would not have hours open to the public...
“It may be possible to have one day a week. ... We're able to talk about lesser dollars, we don't want to, but we would be willing to. The operation certainly will be changed a great deal, even at (about $35,000).”
Commissioner Jon Michael Fuja said other options for funding should be examined.
“It's very much a concern. But, I think we really can't look at doing anything different until we look at finding an alternative source for that $34,000 - or $10,000, or whatever amount this Board elects to fund MSU Extension... I just don't know where that money will come from.”
Commissioner John Pajtas said the MSU Extension programs are essential to children throughout the area.
“The youth in this community is something I am very concerned about. ... There are not many programs that help the youth in this community,” Pajtas said. “We are willing to help the veterans in this community, I think we should be willing to help the youth in this community. I really feel that 4-H is probably one of the best programs this body can help.”
Pavlica suggested he and McAvoy sit down and work on finding some funding options.
McAvoy said the county will be forced to make a number of cuts in upcoming meetings.
“We are facing major decreases in every area,” McAvoy said. “We will be restructuring the county departments, which will result in less employees as of Jan. 1, 2010. It is the last thing we want to do.”
In October 2008, the Board of Commissioners adopted a 2009 budget of $17,822,725. McAvoy said the county has already reduced the 2009 budget more than $500,000 because of lower revenue.
She expects even more cuts to the revenue for the next budget year, including a $150,000-$250,000 slash from state revenue sharing.
“Our revenues are down because of the housing market, we have less taxes coming in, and now this is a big hit,” McAvoy said. “Now we're at the point where we're going to have to restructure.”
- Contact Christina Guenthner at 725-5136 extension 222 or cguenthner@argus-press.com. Post comments about this story online at www.argus-press.com.
Comment on this Story
wow wrote on Oct 22, 2009 11:14 AM:
beth wrote on Oct 22, 2009 10:42 AM:
Brownie wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:33 AM:
Second that Idea wrote on Oct 21, 2009 7:42 PM:
MSU employee wrote on Oct 21, 2009 11:43 AM:
kelly wrote on Oct 20, 2009 10:44 PM:
Robert wrote on Oct 20, 2009 7:12 PM:
It would be a huge shame if we lost this program. McAvoy, have you truly thought this out well? "
HAHAHAHA wrote on Oct 20, 2009 6:57 PM:
What most people don't know is that she is disguising her interviews and arrogant self-promotion for these jobs ON OUR DIME...
Anyone remember the whole crazy Career Alliance debacle in Flint? Oh yeah - she had to be there to protect Shiawassee County's interest??? yeah - she was also vying for the position of Executive Director at the same time we were paying her salary and mileage to make herself relevant and the best choice for the position of Executive Director.
DARN - she didn't get it - at least we would have been rid of her... "
concerned in corunna wrote on Oct 22, 2009 1:12 PM:
Without the county funding there is not a chance of just losing 4-H but all of the other programs they offer. Master Gardeners, 4-H, Breastfeeding, Nutrition, Agriculture programming, soil samples. Its not all just about 4-H, that just what people think of when you hear MSU Extension.
MSU is there to assist, but they can not fit the whole bill.
Without that office manager and secretaries, who pays the bills, who takes care of customers, who answers calls, who does all fo the day to day work? Its just bad that the County wants to have all of the same services but none of the costs associated with it.
Yes, I am familiar with their office, but I am a volunteer and see what good they do on a daily basis. If anyone else wants to know, just call and ask. They are more than happy to answer any question you may have. "