Extension budget - $35K - is approved by commissioners

Lincoln County Commissioners have allocated $13,999.19 for the half-time position of Extension Advisor.

The county reduced the position from a full-time position to a half-time post two months ago with the resignation of Raelyn Hays.

Commissioners were split on the decision with Tony Berget and Ron Downey voting to make the position part-time.

During a recent Commissioners meeting, the board approved a $13,999.19 salary for the part-time advisor, and they also OK’d support staff salaries ($3,789), support staff benefits ($1,924), travel ($4,300) and other expenses ($11,250), which include office space and a new computer.

In all, commissioners approved  $35,262.19 for the extension office.

The approval of expenses comes two months after, in a belt-tightening move, commissioners came under fire for reducing the program. 

At the time, Berget and Downey were chastised by Presiding Commissioner Marianne Roose for what she alleged as coming to an agreement to reduce the program without consulting her.

During that Oct. 3 meeting, about 30 people jammed into the commissioners meeting, urging the board to rethink halving the post. 

Mostly, those who attended the meeting were concerned about the fate of the popular 4-H program.

Steven D. Siegelin, the MSU Extension Representative who is the local office’s manager, urged the commissioners not to trim the position, citing the loss of resources to the county and difficulty to get a replacement.