Dec 7, 2015 - ranchers, woodland owners, business persons, families, youth, and the elderly ... A strong grant-funded nu
Oregon State University Extension Service in Lane County
Proposal to Fund OSU Extension Programs in Lane County December 2015 Proposal in Brief • • • •
Local option tax referred to May 2016 ballot 1.5 cents per $1000 assessed value 5 year period Dedicated to Extension programs in Lane County, targeting highest priority needs
Background Extension Service is Oregon State University’s off-campus educational system. It is charged with developing relevant and credible programs that are responsive to community needs and backed by university research and information. Extension Service has been active in Lane County since 1911, helping homeowners, farmers, ranchers, woodland owners, business persons, families, youth, and the elderly access knowledge and develop skills. OSU stations faculty members in counties, provided local funding is available to support costs of clerical support, office space and equipment, and travel and training associated with their duties. Extension’s work in Lane County was interrupted in 2010. The county government no longer had sufficient funding to support Extension locally through general fund dollars, and a ballot measure requesting 5 cents per $1000 assessed value was narrowly defeated. The 4-H program went dormant, and Extension forestry and family & community health faculty were relocated. The agriculture program was scaled back but has been maintained for a time on grants. Volunteers rallied to maintain the Master Gardener™ and Master Food Preserver programs. Over the past few years, Extension has worked with volunteers and partners to rebuild programming capacity on a self-funded model. A strong grant-funded nutrition education program, a small fee-based 4-H program, and active Master Gardener™ and Master Food Preserver programs supported through gifts and training fees are currently active in Lane County. Forestry and agriculture programs are available on a limited basis from faculty located in other counties. Needs A 2012 assessment by the University of Oregon Community Planning Workshop (CPW) determined that Extension’s intentional educational programming with an emphasis on positive behavior change was still highly relevant in Lane County. While many organizations provide educational services, Extension is viewed as an important collaborator and a key element in the network of services within Lane County communities. CPW recommended that Extension focus educational efforts on food preservation, agricultural businesses, food production, food pantries, cooking, gardening, nutrition, public health, forestry, and financial literacy. The assessment strongly encouraged Extension to maintain and grow the 4-H, Master Gardener™, Master Food Preserver, and Food Pantry volunteer programs, and to reinstate the Master Woodland Manager volunteer program. A continued role for Extension with youth, families, senior citizens, and natural resource audiences was also emphasized.
December 7, 2015
Oregon State University Extension Service in Lane County Proposal to Fund OSU Extension in Lane County The Lane County Board of Commissioners has agreed to refer a local option tax measure to the May 2016 ballot to provide specific support for OSU Extension Programs in Lane County for a period of 5 years. The proposed tax rate of 1.5 cents per $1000 assessed value (about $3.00 per year for a typical property owner) would generate approximately $400,000, annually, after adjusting for compression and tax collection rates. These funds would be used to: • • • • • •
Enhance access to 4-H by reducing enrollment fees and supporting 4-H in-school and after-school programs Stabilize support for Master Gardener, Master Food Preserver, and Food Pantry volunteer programs Leverage federal grant funds to strengthen nutrition education programs Provide operational support for an Extension forester, and allow development of a Master Woodland Manager volunteer program Support a commercial agriculture agent to provide direct services to Lane County farms & producers Strengthen programs in health, financial literacy and other emerging needs.
The local option tax would not result in compression to the permanent tax rates of cities or other taxing districts, and the Lane County Assessor has indicated its impact on other local option taxes would be minimal. This tax rate requested would provide revenues to supplement, but not replace, self-funding efforts already in place. Programs and services to be supported correspond to those identified as high priorities for OSU Extension in the needs assessment conducted by University of Oregon.
December 7, 2015
