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Oklahoma County districts recommend BOCC consider reducing OSU Extension funding to 16% ($146,888.80) in FY27 estimates

Oklahoma County budget districts (estimates of need meeting) · April 2, 2026

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Summary

District budget representatives reviewed OSU Extension’s FY27 estimates and voted to recommend the Board of County Commissioners fund the contract at 16% of the program’s $918,055 total — $146,888.80 — while staff and the extension warned that such a cut would reduce services and likely cause layoffs.

District representatives reviewing Oklahoma County’s fiscal estimates debated how much county support the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service should receive and voted to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) fund the FY27 contract at 16% of the program’s reported $918,055 total, or $146,888.80.

LaDonna, speaking on behalf of OSU Extension, presented handouts and an impact statement showing 2025 program activity, volunteer counts (376 volunteers) and a breakdown of funding sources. She said county general-fund support, Oklahoma State University contributions and a grant from the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust together produced the $918,055 figure the board reviewed. The county’s FY contribution to date was listed in the materials as $553,345, about 60% of that total.

A committee member raised a motion to reduce county support to the statewide average of roughly 16% and proposed directing the savings to pay PBA bond obligations. The member framed the proposal as a response to county budget pressures including bond and jail costs. The motion specified a 16% share of the $918,055 total, which the board recorded as $146,888.80.

LaDonna answered questions about staffing and grants, explaining that several positions are grant-funded and that recent grant expirations had already led to cuts. She warned of service reductions and said, “it would be, you know, layoffs for sure,” if the county’s contribution were cut to the level proposed.

County staff referenced a district attorney opinion on the county’s authority to fund cooperative extension services and emphasized that legal guidance allows reductions if necessary to balance constitutional functions and available revenues. Several board members said they were reluctant to fix a level of support this early in the budget process and asked LaDonna to return with service-impact scenarios showing the effects of a range of cuts (10%, 20%, 25%, 30%).

A committee member moved that this body recommend to the BOCC a FY27 contract amount of $146,888.80 (16%); the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The Chair noted that the current contract remains in effect through June 30 and that the recommendation will go to the Board of County Commissioners for a final decision.

The board thanked LaDonna for the materials and discussion and then moved on to adjournment.