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USU Extension asks Utah County for steady funding, highlights 4‑H grants and digital outreach needs
Summary
Utah State University Extension presented its proposed 2021 county budget request and a 4‑H update, citing county‑based faculty salaries (~$414,000), research services (~$587,000) and a renewed $750,000+ 4‑H mentoring grant; staff requested funds for a part‑time volunteer coordinator and digital education to expand outreach.
Tom Bettis, representing Utah State University Extension, presented the extension’s proposed 2021 budget for Utah County and detailed local impacts and line items. Bettis said county‑based USU salaries total approximately $414,000 (salary only), research and horticultural services add about $587,000, and volunteer services are valued at about $384,000 using government hourly rates.
Bettis said the county allocated $360,000 to Extension for 2020 and that a modest $5,600 carryover from 2020 is requested to maintain phones, internet and other critical services until 2021 funding arrives. He proposed investing in a part‑time, non‑benefitted education facilitator/volunteer coordinator to increase volunteer engagement and suggested funding professional digital videos and virtual content to expand Farm Field Days reach; he estimated a professional 10‑minute educational video at $1,500–$2,500.
Melanie Ogan, USU 4‑H youth programs coordinator, described program highlights and preliminary local survey results. She said a renewed mentoring grant of about $750,000 will continue county mentoring work and that early survey results show 96% of participating youth feel cared for and 89% reported strengthened community relationships. Ogan described pandemic adaptations—hybrid, online and mailed at‑home kits—that the university is using while overnight events remain restricted by university guidelines.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about carryovers, county approval steps and how 4‑H tracks home‑based family chapters during COVID‑19. Ogan said home‑based family chapters do not require weekly temperature reporting; reporting is required only if exposure or a positive test is reported.
Next steps: Extension staff asked for guidance on approval steps and said they would coordinate with the county attorney’s office and county staff on the timing of any formal budget action.
