Curry County 4‑H and Extension Service District adopts $1.75 million budget, keeps permanent tax rate

The Curry County 4‑H and Extension Service District budget committee unanimously approved a $1,747,566 budget for fiscal year 02/2027 and retained the district's permanent tax rate of $0.1021 per $1,000 of assessed value at its June 3, 2026 meeting.

The vote followed a presentation of the district's budget message, in which the presenter summarized revenue and spending priorities. "The total proposed budget for fiscal year 02/2027 is $1,747,566," the presenter said while reading the budget packet. The proposal lists a beginning balance of $1,388,064, estimated appropriated tax revenue of $422,247 and an unappropriated ending fund balance of $995,319. Line‑item requirements shown in the packet included $304,711 for personnel services, $117,536 for materials and services, $300,000 in unallocated project funds and $30,000 in operating contingency.

Why it matters: the district funds local 4‑H programming, master gardener education, forestry outreach and other county extension services. Committee members pressed for clarity on staffing levels and reserve policy during the review, and the presenter defended the larger fund balance as the result of vacancies and pandemic‑era underspending that created salary savings.

The committee's motion to adopt the budget and the permanent tax rate was made during the meeting by a committee member and seconded; the motion was carried by voice vote. The mover stated, "I move that the budget committee approve the budget for the Curry County 4 h and extension service district for fiscal year 02/2027 as presented, and approve property taxes for operating purposes at the permanent rate of 0.1021 per $1,000 of assessed value." The motion was seconded and those present voted in favor.

Program highlights presented to the committee included growth in the 4‑H program and expanded outreach by the master gardener volunteers. The presenter said the 4‑H program serves about 100 youth with roughly 30 core volunteers and noted new and returning clubs, including increased participation in the national shooting sports competition. The presenter also described successful grant work that secured more than $250,000 (including a vendor match) to replace playground equipment at Riley Creek Grade School, with installation expected in early July and use by the fall school term.

Staffing changes drew attention: the presenter said long‑time forester Norma Klein is retiring after about 15 years and will remain in an advisory role, and the district plans to hire a forester who will cover Josephine, Jackson and Curry counties. On the subject of FTEs and paperwork, a committee member asked why the LB‑1 form omitted staff counts; the presenter acknowledged the oversight and said she would update the document. "My FTE is 1," the presenter said when asked; she noted the district's staff totals amount to 2.7 FTE across positions (Paul 0.7, presenter 1.0, and the 4‑H EPA 1.0).

Extension services beyond youth programming were also described: Miranda Gray, who identified herself as a water resources extension educator covering Coos and Curry counties, summarized recent pond‑stewardship training for coastal technical assistance providers and plans to expand rooftop rainwater‑harvesting workshops for small farms. She also noted Sea Grant outreach such as Discover Oregon Seafood materials and upcoming port and dock tours.

On reserves and capital needs, the presenter attributed the district's growing beginning fund balance to position vacancies and to lower program spending during the pandemic, calling the reserve a useful "runway" for responding to unplanned needs and short‑term projects. Committee members and staff also discussed a previously proposed joint facility at the port and an approximately $300,000 building reserve that was set aside for potential fairgrounds improvements; the presenter said any major capital project would require partnership with the fairgrounds and other entities.

The committee did not amend the budget during the meeting. After the vote the chair closed the session and the committee adjourned.

What comes next: presenter said she will correct the FTE reporting on the LB‑1 and resend updated materials to the committee; no further committee action was scheduled at the meeting.