2008 MM Status
From Extension Collaborative Wiki
2. What is the status of Cooperative Extension at your university?
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is in good status. We received a mostly level budget for FY09, due to less than anticipated state revenues. We did provide a 4% merit based salary program for Faculty and A&P staff and a 3% salary program for classified staff.
Oklahoma is continuing to fill vacant positions as qualified applicants are identified. We are hopeful, but not too optimistic, that state revenues will increase during the coming year. Reports from the state executive branch are indicative of a tight year for funding for FY10.
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
Even though the state went through a 7% reduction in projected income a 2% Salary increases was given in July as merit or cola to faculty and non-classified employees. Classified employees were given 2% cola as well as 1.5%,3%,4.5% merit. Some positions are being held until economy improves. State Government actually ended June 30 with 89 million above projection for the year. Overall the state of Extension is solid.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is in a time of great transition. The system is adjusting to a new workforce with nearly 1/2 of the Extension Agents in the organization having less than 5 years of tenure. This has required considerable effort in recruiting, hiring, and training of employees. The Virginia System is composed a a traditional system of funding where is shared with counties. County governments typically provide 1/3 of the cost of salaries and benefits of the Extension Agents housed in their counties and 2/3 from the state. Due to continued state budget and revenue shortages Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE)is working to leverage more support from the local level. In the last year the contributions from some of the counties has now increased to as much as 50% of the match of salaries and benefits. This additional support has allowed VCE to continue to fill critical positions even in the face of reduced state support.
Overall, morale is strong in the organization and good programming is continuing to take place.
Florida
Extension receives the majority of its funding from state and county governments. Funding from the state is down significantly. We hope to learn at the end of the county budget process (September 30) that county funding will remain steady. Our 2006-07 Budget was $85.2 million: 43.2% ($36.8 million) from Counties, 41.7% ($35.5 million) from State, 12.3% ($10.5 million) from USDA and 2.8% ($2.4 million) from Grants. In September we had to give the State back $462,845. Our 2008-09 State allotment was reduced by another $421,252, and there is some indication that the State revenues will be less than earlier expected so we may have to give some back later in the year. The County support presented here does not include the value of the County-owned and maintained facilities.
The State legislature has agreed to fund our “Workload Increase” formula that is based on annual increases in the # of: educational materials produced; field, office and phone consultations; and group learning participants. We are hopeful that as state revenue increases this formula produces a corresponding increase in our state funding.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service (CES) like many other states continues to experience financial challenges. Since 2000 we've had $8.1 M in recurring reversions. As people organizations, this directly impacts both our operations and workforce numbers. Throughout this reversion period we have prioritized our employees by taking cuts in operations and by closing vacant positions. This continues to put a strain on our operations which is less than 7% of our expenditures. Our 2006 - 2007 budget was comprised as follows: 37.9% state, 24.3% counties, 13.9% federal, 14.4% contracts and grants, 6.8% sales and services, 2.3% foundations, and 0.4% misc. There are 1020 county CES employees and program support positions. This includes 97 County Directors, 386 agents, 215 secretaries, 106 program assistants/associates/technicians that have full or partial CES funding. Currently our cost share on these positions is approximately 56.3%. An additional 216 positions are fully funded from non-extension/university funds. While the state budget has not been approved at the time of this information, we are anticipating a 3% salary increase for our employees.
Georgia
Like everyone else, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension has been affected by the downturn in the economy. In June, the Dean’s office, under direction from the Governor’s office, announced a 3.5% reduction in the FY09 budget. An additional .5% must be identified for the FY2010 budget request for a total reduction of 4%. This is being met through a reduction of administrative and support units’ non-personal services. We are also under a hiring slowdown until at least January. Only positions approved prior to the Dean’s announcement are being allowed to go forward. Vacancy lists will be reprioritized by DED’s as positions come open. Our county support remains strong with each district having positions with county funds available that we do not have state funds to fill or create.
County Agent positions in Georgia presently stand at 357 (up from 345 last year). Of these 16 are 100% county funded (up from 11 last year), and 14 are grant funded (down from 16 last year). We have funding from our state legislature for 3 Agent in Training positions.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, we are just trying to to maintain. The Kentucky Legislature voted to give all Universities a 6% cut beginning July '08. The University absorbed 2% and passed along to Extension a 4% cut. We were on a hiring freeze until July 1 and now are floating 26 vacancies to cover the cut. Plans are being made to meet with our leadership and agents in September to discuss a direction or alternatives for funding. May end up with staff reduction or more contributions from counties. 3 options are on the table, increase county contributions, keep floating positions or downsize staff.
Alabama
We had a 14% budget reduction for FY09 budget year. This reduction followed an 18% budget increase for FY 08. Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) learned of the proposed budget reduction in early January, therefore we did not fill the position we had planned to fill with part of the increase in appropriation. Also, there were some onetime grant funds made available as well as In-service Training and others similar expenditures. At this time all Position that were in place on the FY 08 Budget are being filled, but no new positions are being filled.
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Texas AgriLife Extension Service is able to maintain a relatively stable work force as a result of continued support by the State Legislature and County Commissioners Courts. All employees received a state mandated 2% salary increase both years of the biennium (September 1, 2007 & 2008). Additional funding will be requested during the 81st Legislative Session to secure a few key priority positions in both agent and specialist ranks as well as addressing salary equity issues.
LSU AgCenter
Received sufficient funding from state legislature to cover all mandated increases (which doesn't always happen). However, we are instituting a 4% merit increase which will result in a $2 million short fall if the raises (which match the campus faculty raise) are approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors. All vacant positions are frozed until further notice. State mileage allowances were raised from 44 cents/mile to 52 cents/mile. Regions and Departments were allocated a 20% increase in their travelallowances.
Tennessee Extension
State budget for FY08 has been mostly flat and slightly reduced (just over $600,000) from FY07. Expectations for FY09 reflect the slower economy with reduced sales tax revenues projected to result in further budget reductions which will most likely exceed those of the current budget year We had a freeze on hiring for 5 months. We can now hire. We have a new Dean of Extension, Tim Cross
