Several administrators and volunteers with the regional Extension office urged the McLean County Board on Thursday not to go through with a planned cut in the county tax levy for the organization, while two former Extension leaders accused the current administration of mismanagement and running off volunteers.
The county board also approved a pay raise for county administrator Cassy Taylor and four more solar farm projects during its regular monthly meeting.
The Extension office, which provides agriculture, health and consumer education in McLean, Livingston, and Woodford counties, agreed in August to a greatly reduced annual tax levy of $30,000 (from $300,000) after several county board members insisted the Extension spend more of its reserves first. The Extension reported $2.7 million in reserves at the time with a $1.5 million annual budget. That includes funding from each of the counties, plus a state match.
The county board’s finance committee approved the reduced levy last week. The full county board will consider the request as part of the annual budget next month.
Janice McCoy, assistant director for the University of Illinois Extension Region 2, called the funding cut “drastic” when speaking during public comment at Thursday’s meeting. McCoy commended the University of Illinois for requiring a financial cushion in case of an unexpected hardship.
“Not everyone appreciates these policies and procedures, but like any organization, we have a responsibility to protect the people we serve, the organization and our employees,” said McCoy, adding the $270,000 reduction amounts to a $486,000 cut for the office when the state match is added.
Harry Clore, associate director for budget, finance and workforce development for the regional Extension office, said the office built up reserves in recent years as the state caught up for funding that was delayed from 2017 to 2019. He said another year with a reduced levy will likely mean a cut in services.
“We’re going to plan for $30,000 going forward and that means we are going to have to consider cuts. That’s going to be to people, programs and the county fair for example,” said Clore, adding Extension pays the McLean County Farm Bureau $49,000 annually to bring its 4-H show to the fair.
‘There is no need’
But two long-serving members of the Extension office said the $30,000 levy was adequate and said the organization has problems that should be addressed before asking for more money.
Don Meyer, who retired as University of Illinois McLean County Extension director in 2010 after 27 years with the organization, told the county board the office’s $2.7 million carryover should prevent program cuts.
“The Extension levy is not an entitlement, but rather a fund source,” Meyer said. “Levies are approved each year and to be based on need. This year there is no need.”
Meyer said “countless” volunteers have left, others were fired for having opposing viewpoints and staff labeled some volunteers as “bullies.” He added high staff turnover also has hurt 4-H.
Meyer said the Extension office no longer has a cooperative partnership with the U of I, and that the university operates with little input from local offices. “Numerous groups have gone to campus to share concerns of fiscal policy, heavy-handed leadership, top-down programming and staff turnover. Yet these issues remain,” Meyer said.
Sandy McGhee, a retired 4-H youth educator who spent 47 years with Extension, also shared concerns about volunteers leaving the organization. She likened the Extension office to a school bus with volunteers that serve as the wheels to keep the bus moving.
“4-H and other Extension programs will not be cut because of a lack of funding. Loss of programming will occur because that big orange bus will have no wheels,” McGhee said.
Extension director Bobbie Lewis-Sibley did not speak during the meeting, but afterward, she disputed the claims of volunteer unrest and said numbers are coming back after the pandemic.
“I’m very disheartened and saddened that people who stand up and say that they are supporters of 4-H and Extension are asking for that cut. I don’t believe truly they are supporters,” she said.
Several master gardeners expressed their support for Extension management. “Without the support of Extension I think that there are many programs that won’t continue in our community,” said Cynthia Langrall, adding she would not want to see nature trips, daycare visits and farmers market education go away.
Hannah Johnson, executive director of the Illinois Art Station in Normal, said she has partnered with Extension staff on several education initiatives, including the Unity Community Center and STEAM in the Classroom.
“I have personally and professionally benefited from the opportunity to present educational, community-centered programming to captive diverse audiences thanks to Extension and I’ve relied on the expertise, commitment and camaraderie of every U of I Extension staffer I have had the privilege to work with,” she said.
County Board chair John McIntryre did not say how he will vote on the Extension levy cut, saying he will likely side with the majority, but he added: “I don’t see any reason for an organization that has state funding that’s supposed to be matched (have) to operate with that kind of reserve.”
With the 20-member board split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, it’s not clear where the majority lies.
Administrator contract
Taylor received a nearly 10% increase in base pay following an annual performance review. That elevates her salary to $164,400. The board approved the raise unanimously without comment.
Taylor agreed to a five-year contract last December. The first year of the contract paid $150,000. The new agreement extends to December 2027 and covers an $8,000 annual reimbursement for use of a personal vehicle.
Taylor had served in the interim role for six months after Camille Rodriguez resigned from the post to take a public health job in Colorado.
In other business, the county board:
- Approved applications for four solar farm projects. Amp Solar Development wants to build a 2-megawatt facility on 20 acres south of Bloomington and east of U.S. Route 51, two 2-megawatt facilities on 74 acres near Downs, a 4-megawatt facility on 26 acres east of Gridley and a 5-megawatt facility on 81 acres in Bloomington Township.
- Approved the jurisdictional transfer of Division Street in Chenoa to the city. The county rebuilt a portion of the street in 2020 and plans to resurface the street from U.S. Route 24 to U.S. Route 66. The county paid the city $225,000 last year and will provide an additional $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding for future road maintenance.
- Approved the addition of Juneteenth as a new county holiday. Next year’s date will be June 19, 2023.
