Belknap County delegation hears hours of public comment on request to reinstate funding for UNH Cooperative Extension, conservation district and CASA

The Belknap County delegation held a public hearing at 6 p.m. to receive testimony on a commissioners’ request for a supplemental appropriation to restore funding for three outside agencies: UNH Cooperative Extension, the Belknap County Conservation District (BCCD) and CASA of New Hampshire. The chair said the request was made “pursuant to RSA 24:14‑a,” and the hearing was limited to public comment; the delegation will deliberate and vote on the appropriation in two weeks.

The hearing drew more than two hours of public testimony both supporting and opposing the restoration of county funds. Supporters said the agencies deliver services—lake monitoring, farm and forestry technical assistance, youth development and court advocacy—that leverage outside grants and benefit the county’s economy. Opponents said the cuts were appropriate given the county’s recent budget vote and raised concerns about duplication of services, accountability and using county tax revenue to fund nonprofit or quasi‑governmental programs.

“Cooperative Extension is funded through a federal, state, and county partnership,” said Amy Loder, who identified herself as working for Cooperative Extension. She described recent local staffing reductions and warned that the county would lose technical services if funding was not restored:…