Commissioners approve Purdue Extension contract after staff correction; residents press for restored staffing

Warrick County commissioners voted to approve the county’s annual 2026 contract with Purdue University for extension services, contingent on Purdue submitting a corrected appropriation amount on the contract document.

During the meeting an extension advisory committee member, Phil Springston, criticized the university for reducing local staff and said the earlier contract guaranteed three county educators but that the county currently has two. “Their new contract is very vague and says you will provide services, but there's no guarantee of 3 positions,” Springston said, adding his view that the change amounts to a local budget cut in service. He estimated, by his calculation, that Purdue “owes us $28,742” for the unfilled position in this year’s contract.

Carla Cadwell of Purdue Extension responded that the university’s contracts are service-based across counties and described two regional pilot programs that centralize certain specialties; she said regional staff have been providing services into the county when vacancies occur. Cadwell offered to provide the area director’s contact for follow-up and noted the extension board can appoint a local resident to a planning commission seat if Purdue staff cannot serve locally.

Commissioners agreed to approve the contract contingent on a corrected total contract amount being returned by Purdue. They also agreed to pursue follow-up correspondence with the area director and to consider options—such as advisory-board appointments—if Purdue vacancies continue to affect local services.