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 4H spared but extension office still facing layoffs in county budget move In an effort to shore up a $7 million budget shortfall, El Paso County Commissioners Monday decided to cut funding to the Colorado State University Extension Office by half. The move will save the county an estimated $153,514 but will likely mean the elimination of three full time employees and possible scaling back of services.
The extension office is funded through a partnership between the county and the university. Commissioners had previously considered eliminating their portion of funding entirely, a move that Extension Director Gary Hall says would effectively close the office. "If the county pulls out as a partner is there any reason that they (the university) should keep funneling money to El Paso County?" Hall asked.
The extension office financially supports local 4H programs. Consequently, dozens of 4H students and their parents pleaded with commissioners Monday to spare their organization.
The compromise means the extension office will not loose state funding through the university, but roughly three full-time employees will have to be laid off.
Commissioner Wayne Williams says the county's comparably lower property tax rates have contributed to the shortfall and that all departments will have to tighten their belts. "We are overly reliant on sales tax and what that means is when the economy does not generate sufficient sales tax, we have to make cuts."
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