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Purdue Extension in Marion County requests $969,694; will administer VITA tax-assistance sites
Summary
Purdue Extension officials presented a proposed 2026 budget of $969,694 for Marion County, highlighted free programs serving roughly 40,000 residents annually and said the extension will take over coordination of the VITA volunteer tax-assistance program this season.
Laura Dodds, County Extension Director for Purdue Extension in Marion County, and Rita Blythe, director of operations, presented the cooperative extension’s 2026 budget to the Admin and Finance Committee and described programming and recent changes.
Dodds said Purdue Extension brings university research into the community under four program areas: agriculture and natural resources, health and human sciences, community development and 4-H youth development. The office serves nearly 40,000 residents annually across roughly 386 unique learning experiences and offers about 78% of programs free to the public.
The extension requested a proposed county general-fund operating budget of $969,694 for 2026. Blythe said the increase in character‑3 costs is driven largely by recent changes to ISA chargebacks and that Purdue requests an annual 3% educator-contract increase; she added that if ISA chargebacks are excluded, the total requested spending is actually below the 2025 adopted budget.
Dodds described staffing and equity priorities: the office has four county-supported full‑time positions and nine educator positions funded through Purdue contracts, USDA and grants. The extension pursues grant funding (nutrition education, mental health programs and free tax-preparation services) and estimated total grant revenue for next year at about $172,000.
On volunteer tax assistance, Dodds said the United Way of Central Indiana is transitioning Marion County VITA site coordination to Purdue Extension this year; extension staff said they are working with United Way to ensure a smooth handoff and anticipate leveraging university resources and student volunteers to support sites.
Councilors asked about VITA volunteer recruitment and how the extension will engage students; Dodds said the extension is actively pursuing partnerships with universities and community organizations to recruit volunteers and expand outreach. The presentation noted that the extension invested in professional development for staff and that most facilities are accessible with language services available for registrants who request them.
