Sedgwick County Extension warns budget cut could threaten adult services; plans to fill vacant SHIC oversight role

At a Sedgwick County staff meeting on Jan. 21, leaders of the Sedgwick County Extension told commissioners that a recent 10% cut to the county allocation has tightened the extension’s operating budget and put pressure on a key adult development and SHIC (Senior Health Insurance Counseling) oversight position.

"We have right now 8 agents, including myself. We usually have 9," Dr. Brantley of the Extension Center said, describing staff levels. She told commissioners the extension had been able to manage prior steady funding, but the most recent reduction required shifting funds and reconsidering hiring. "We are going to post this position here at the February, and we are gonna hire that position nonetheless," she added.

The extension representatives presented a packet showing multi-decade funding trends and the program’s 2025 budget. The packet lists salaries and wages at about $853,000 and a total operating budget near $1.5 million, with county appropriations reported at roughly $742,000 — about half of the office’s revenue. County facilities support for the Extension Center (utilities and maintenance) was reported separately by county staff at about $247,000 for 2024.

Why it matters: Extension provides long-running local programs — including volunteer programs, 4‑H youth development and Medicare counseling — that county leaders said residents rely on. Commissioners questioned how the extension’s services connect to broader county responsibilities and whether other funding partners (K‑State and KDADS) could make up any shortfalls.

During the presentation, K‑State Extension Director Greg Hadley highlighted statewide metrics and volunteer contributions: "43,000 volunteer hours just emanating from Sedgwick County," he said, and noted statewide outreach numbers. Extension board chair Janet Sprecher asked the commission to consider the extension early in the 2026 budget process to avoid future cuts.

Medicare counseling (SHIC/SHIP): Commissioners pressed for clarity on funding for the SHIC program. Dr. Brantley said the SHIC volunteer counselors and two part‑time coordinators are supported in part by KDADS grant funds, which help pay for mileage and supplies, but that the agent who oversees SHIC and adult development programming is paid from county-appropriated funds. When that agent left around the time of the 10% cut, staff considered leaving the position vacant; the office now plans to recruit and fill it.

Commissioners also discussed where extension revenues come from and the degree to which Sedgwick County is the primary funder. Dr. Brantley and Hadley said funding is cooperative: federal and state funds, local appropriations, program fees, room rentals and donations all contribute. County Chief Financial Officer Lenjit Poberso explained the county separately tracks facility costs (staffing, electricity and maintenance) that effectively support the extension site, and those costs are not a direct cash allocation to the extension but amount to roughly $247,000 in 2024.

Next steps and context: Extension leaders asked for an early conversation in the 2026 budget cycle about potential cuts. Commissioners said they would consider the extension’s role and how programs — notably SHIC/SHIP counseling — could be preserved or better partnered with other county services, such as the Aging Department and senior centers. No formal county action was taken at the meeting; the extension will proceed with posting the adult development/aging agent position and continue to seek other funding.

Ending: Extension officials left commissioners with an impact report highlighting local partnerships and outreach, and asked the board to remember the office’s volunteer capacity and community programs when planning next year’s appropriations.