Commission votes to keep county-funded extension office position after debate

The commission approved on second reading a budget resolution to retain an extension office position that the federal government previously funded. Discussion identified that the federal funding was being discontinued and the county was asked to absorb the $37,429 annual cost; a commissioner proposed an amendment to provide three months' severance ($9,357.25) instead of retaining the position to avoid an ongoing budget commitment. That amendment failed for lack of a second, commissioners debated the value of the position, and the resolution passed on second reading by a recorded vote of 21 in favor and 1 opposed.