University of Idaho extension asks county to budget AmeriCorps match, cites grants and program growth

The University of Idaho—s extension representative described a county-supported extension program that includes 4-H youth programming, master gardener instruction and community food systems work. The extension educator told commissioners the university pays the educator salary but the county contributes operating support for local staffing, facilities, and program delivery.

Extension staff said recent federal and foundation grant awards expanded the program—s reach; the department asked the county to budget a $10,000 match for AmeriCorps (the educator—s presentation proposed splitting that match across funds: $5,000 from general fund and $5,000 from the 2.45 fund that collects fee-based revenue). The educator noted the AmeriCorps match is a lever: a relatively small county match typically secures a year-round AmeriCorps member to run programs that the county would otherwise have to staff or contract.

Extension staff also raised continuing logistic and cost pressures tied to distance from the university campus: travel for required campus trainings is expensive and frequent due to the county—s remote location, and the extension office asked for a modest increase to travel and training lines to maintain professional development and statewide coordination. Extension leaders also noted continued reliance on private fundraising and foundation grants for program equipment and scholarships.

Commissioners asked staff to identify exact lines to move 1) the $5,000 county match into the appropriate fund lines and 2) whether grant-funded intern lines can cover summer placement costs; finance staff agreed to work with extension to clarify the accounting and to show where the 2.45 pass-through funds would be applied.