Commissioners approve returning $26,007 in unspent Extension funds and $4,235 for furniture replacement

The Board of County Commissioners approved two budget amendments for the University of Maryland Extension after a presentation by Ben Beal, who said the Extension carried over unspent funds because of a staff vacancy and an occupational-safety assessment.

Beal asked the board to (1) move $26,007 of unspent FY2011 Cooperative Extension funds into the Commissioner's Emergency Reserve Fund and (2) move $4,235 from the Commissioner's Emergency Reserve into the FY2012 Cooperative Extension budget to purchase new office furniture and ergonomics equipment identified as necessary during a health assessment. Beal said the unspent funds were primarily attributable to a retirement and vacancy in an administrative assistant position and that the requested furniture is intended to address employee health issues identified in an audit.

Commissioners discussed the frequency and triggers for occupational safety assessments and asked whether the furniture would be new; Beal said the purchases would be new furniture and that the existing furniture would be returned to county inventory. He also noted the extension's cooperative funding mix (roughly 35% county, 60–65% state and the remainder federal). The board heard that Jamie Fleming had been hired as the new administrative assistant in March and that the furniture purchases would include items to address ergonomic needs.

Commissioner Daniel L. Morris moved to approve both budget amendments and authorize Commissioner President Russell to execute them; Commissioner Todd B. Morgan seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.

Staff will execute the budget amendments and incorporate the changes into the county budget as directed by the board.