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Commissioners split on funding benefits for part‑time Extension Office position
Summary
University of Maine Extension representatives requested county funding for $15,750 in benefits for an unfilled part‑time position, prompting a split among commissioners and a pledge to revisit the matter at the next meeting.
Julie Lajoie and Ellen Richmond from the University of Maine Extension presented a budget request asking Somerset County to pay benefits for a part‑time position that the university cannot fund because of a hiring freeze; the benefits were stated as $15,750 and represented about a $16,000 net increase to the county expense for the Extension Office. The county has historically funded office expenses including wages for one full‑time and one part‑time position, and commissioners discussed whether to continue that practice given current University funding constraints.
Commissioners were split on whether to fund the benefits and did not take a vote; the issue was deferred for further consideration at a future meeting. The minutes record that the part‑time role is currently unfilled and that the University cannot pay benefits due to its hiring freeze.
