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Monroe County council trims extension services budget lines after directors request modest increases
Summary
Purdue Extension director requested two small increases for longevity and contractual services; council cut several nonessential line items and approved revised totals after questions about travel and postage usage.
Monroe County Council members reviewed the Purdue Extension 2026 budget on Aug. 27 and approved targeted reductions after questions from councilors about travel, training and supply spending.
Adi Ekwawa, county extension director for Purdue Extension in Monroe County, told the council the department sought two modest changes: a $400 longevity increase (raising the line from $1,200 to $1,600) and a 3% increase in contractual services for the county’s agreement with Purdue that funds extension programming in agriculture, 4‑H, health and community development. Ekwawa said the travel and training request was $15,000, increased largely because the office added a second 4‑H educator and fuel costs rose.
The council questioned multiple line items that historically had been underused. Councilor Iverson proposed a package of reductions. After discussion the council voted to: set office supplies to $6,000; set educational supplies to $400; set Citizens Academy to $500; and set training and travel to $11,000. Those motions carried by voice or roll call (final approval of the extension budget as amended carried in a roll call vote 6–1). The revised total for the extension budget as announced on the dais was presented as personnel $134,551; supplies $6,400; services $259,10X (as displayed in the working 4B); total $376,861 (as restated by staff at the meeting).
Councilors pressed for specificity on travel and postage because the county is working to close an $8.66 million projected deficit the auditor presented earlier in the meeting. Ekwawa said travel increases reflect more events and a second educator’s travel; postage use year‑to‑date was “probably around like $2,000.” Councilor Decker and others suggested modest reductions the department accepted to help the county’s overall balancing work.
The council approved the amended line‑item changes by roll call and then approved the extension services budget to move forward with the adopted line amounts.
The auditor and finance staff displayed the working 4B levy worksheet during the presentation and left it available as a working document for council and the public.
The council’s changes are procedural adjustments within the budget work session; none of the cuts reallocated personnel or eliminated a program. Ekwawa and councilors noted the department can return later in the season if unexpected needs arise.
