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Josephine County approves OSU Extension 2025–26 budget but sets levy at $0, citing reserve funds
Summary
After extensive public comment urging restoration, the commissioners adopted the Josephine County 4‑H Extension Service District 2025–26 budget but amended the resolution to levy 0¢ per $1,000 and draw about $435,000 from fund balance; vote 2–1.
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 on Wednesday to adopt the 2025–26 budget for the county's 4‑H Extension Service District while postponing collection of the local levy and drawing on reserves to restart operations.
The decision rescinded a request to reinstate the district's property tax levy for the coming year and amended the budget by setting the levy at 0¢ per $1,000 of assessed value and reducing the unappropriated ending fund balance by $435,000. The motion to adopt resolution 2025‑025, as amended, passed with Commissioners Smith and Barnett voting yes and Commissioner Black dissenting.
Why it matters: The action restores Extension operations in Josephine County after the program's funding was frozen in prior years, while delaying a vote to resume a dedicated tax. Supporters told commissioners that Extension programs'including 4‑H, Master Gardener services and youth programming'provide education, economic development support and services for children and veterans. Opponents and at least one commissioner said the board should be cautious about reinstating the levy immediately.
Public testimony at the hearing was overwhelmingly in favor of resuming Extension operations. Carrie Reiter, a Grants Pass resident, urged the board to restore both the budget and the levy, saying, "Just having the budget doesn't do anything without backup cash." Jim Goodwin, another longtime resident, recommended placing the levy on the November ballot if voters want to confirm modern support for the tax approved in the 1990s.
Commissioner Chris Barnett, who led negotiations with Oregon State University (OSU) Extension and staff, said county and OSU representatives committed to several safeguards before funds would be released: an intergovernmental/service agreement with the county, a memorandum of agreement with the fairgrounds and partner programs, formation of a local advisory committee, and regular liaison meetings with commissioners. "You take something away, you have to gradually give it back and make sure they're going to be good stewards of the program and your taxpayer dollars," Barnett said.
Ruth Nelson, Josephine County budget officer, clarified the county's and OSU's proposal: OSU's proposed budget did not include collecting the levy for next fiscal year; the appropriation in the proposal included roughly $230,000 for immediate operations and a $130,000 reserve for future expenditures. Nelson said the $435,000 figure represented the estimated tax revenue that would increase the fund balance if collected; under the board's amendment that money will remain uncollected and the budget will be drawn down by that amount.
Supporters highlighted specific local impacts. Georgia Moulton, a former master gardener, said the canceled levy previously cost the county about $750,000 in returned tax dollars that leveraged state and federal matching funds. Deb Berg, a 4‑H alumna, called the levy a small cost to households (she cited an example of $18.36 annually on a $400,000 home) and urged commissioners to restore programming that benefits youth and community food systems.
Commissioner Black said he would dissent because of constituent concerns he had received and because some residents opposed immediate reinstatement of the levy.
The board's amendment directs the program to resume operations using existing fund balance and OSU's proposed appropriation. Commissioners said they intend to reassess the levy and overall funding in the next budget cycle after observing program restart and implementation.
Votes and formal action: Motion to adopt resolution 2025‑025 as amended (levy set to 0¢ per $1,000 and reduce fund balance by $435,000) passed 2–1 (Commissioner Smith: Yes; Commissioner Barnett: Yes; Commissioner Black: No).
Looking ahead: County staff said the current reserves should cover operations for about a year and a half under the OSU proposal; commissioners said they may consider reinstating the levy in the next budget process pending progress reports and establishment of the advisory and intergovernmental arrangements.
