Extension staff ask for targeted county pay adjustment and explain mileage change

Sonia Mitchell of the Extension office presented the department's budget and a recommendation for a county staff pay adjustment to reduce salary compression between two Extension positions. She said the office saw contractual-service costs rise in recent months but that a new county-tiered population formula and central support from Purdue University will absorb some mileage and technology expenses, allowing mileage to be reduced in the county budget.

Katie Whiteford, who introduced herself as the region's new operations leader, explained the population-tier approach and said contractual services are now allocated by county population tiers; she offered to email contact information and provide more detailed cost comparisons. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the Extension work and for the targeted approach to recognizing staff merit.