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Gates County extension asks for small budget tweak, seeks clear MOA with NC State on multi‑county staffing
Summary
Gates County extension staff told county leaders they submitted a budget that reduces computer leasing costs but requests a modest increase to cover rising meeting/dues costs; staff also asked the county to formalize a long‑standing multi‑county staffing memorandum with NC State and noted a 4% salary increase for one employee remains unpaid pending state funds.
An extension agent for Gates County told county leaders the office submitted a budget that reflects lower computer lease costs after equipment replacement but requests a modest increase to the association dues and meetings line to offset rising per‑meeting fees.
The agent said association meeting fees have risen from $15 to $20 per meeting and asked the board to approve a slight increase in that budget line so staff can continue attending required quarterly and annual meetings. "So everything has gone up," the agent said, noting overall operating costs have climbed.
The agent also described a personnel issue: a 4% salary increase for an employee named Kelly was approved in the county budget last year but has not yet been paid because the state has not released the related funds. The agent said the raise will be made retroactive "whenever a and d releases those funds." (Transcript: speaker 1.)
Separately, staff asked county leadership to formalize a memorandum of agreement with NC State. The agent said most extension staff are NC State employees and that Kelly is NC A&T staff; she asked that the MOA be updated to clarify which entity pays what portion of salaries and to capture the long‑standing tri‑county staffing arrangement.
Explaining the staffing model, the agent said Gates County effectively pays for about 1.33 agent positions while receiving the services of one full local agent plus shared positions (commercial horticulture, consumer horticulture and livestock) that are split among Gates, Chowan and a neighboring county. "Part of our agent most of our staff is NC State staff. Kelly is NC A and T staff...You all pay 50% of our salaries and 46% of Kelly's salary," the agent said, noting some percentages had not been adjusted to reflect current practice.
Commissioners asked about having a district director or management representative attend a future meeting to explain the hiring and interview process used by the extension district and to refresh the board's understanding of the county‑university relationship. The agent offered to invite the district director to present; she also described how candidate presentations and interview panels typically include advisor leadership and program personnel.
No motions or votes were taken during the presentation. The discussion closed with staff offering to provide updated MOA language and supporting documentation showing salary and benefit calculations.
The board did not schedule a specific follow‑up date; staff said they would provide dates for the district director to appear if the commissioners wanted to participate in candidate interviews.
