Board restores UCCE funding at a 5% reduction after public appeals
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Summary
After an extended presentation and more than a dozen public commenters in support of University of California Cooperative Extension programs, the Amador County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to limit cuts to UCCE to a 5% reduction rather than deeper reductions the board had considered.
The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to limit cuts to University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) funding to a 5% reduction after a morning of presentations and public testimony highlighting the program’s local benefits.
UCCE staff closed their presentation by asking the board to maintain the county contribution so the extension could “continue to provide these resources to our members of Amador County,” the presenter said. Supervisors then questioned staff about how local funding relates to university-paid adviser positions and whether programs such as Master Gardeners and 4‑H could become more self-supporting.
More than a dozen residents and program leaders told the board cutting extension funding would harm agriculture, youth programs and nutrition services. “Cutting those dollars, I don't think, is a good idea. It's like cutting the seed,” John Allen told supervisors, urging them to preserve the county investment in Cooperative Extension research and services.
Amador County Unified School District nutrition director Mike Pingree said UCCE helped the district start a school farm that produced about 3,800 pounds of produce in two months, which has been used in salad bars and nutrition education across the district. “Their continued support throughout the district and county is invaluable,” Pingree said.
UCCE staff described two separate funding streams: university funds that pay for adviser positions and local county funds used to support programming such as Master Gardener clinics, 4‑H and food preserver courses. “The university money comes to fund particular positions. They don't give me an amount to just spend in Amador County,” a UCCE presenter said, explaining how the partnership works to leverage grants and local outreach.
Facing a multi‑million‑dollar county shortfall, supervisors debated whether to apply a uniform 5% cut across discretionary accounts. Supervisor identified in the record as speaker 21 moved to restore UCCE funding to a 5% reduction; the motion was seconded and carried with a unanimous voice vote: “Motion carries 5 0.”
The board chair noted the wider budget challenge remains and reminded the public that fuller budget deliberations are scheduled for the April 28 meeting, when supervisors will weigh cuts and tradeoffs affecting probation, the sheriff and roads.
