HomeMy WebLinkAbout042621_ra03 JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Cliff Moore, Director, WSU Jefferson County Extension
Philip Morley,Jefferson County Administrator
DATE: April 26, 2021
RE: Update on Extension Staffing
STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Extension Director Cliff Moore will update the Board about
staffing at WSU Extension, and proposals to attract and retain the 4H Coordinator position, as
well as to maintain staffing levels in the Small Farms program in the face of lost revenue.
ANALYSIS: Extension's 4H Coordinator position is currently vacant. At $37,363, the annual
salary for the WSU Jefferson County 4H Coordinator is $7,892 below the state average of
$45,255. In part because of this low salary level,the most recent Coordinator recently resigned
and WSU will be recruiting for its fourth coordinator in the past six years. The local 4H
Coordinator is critical for the day-to-day operation of 4H programs in Jefferson County.
There are 26 WSU County Extension 4H Coordinator in Washington. As a general rule,the
partnership between the university and county governments calls for the county to cover the
salary while WSU covers benefits. As noted above, the Jefferson County salary lags behind the
state average and given the county cost of living, it has been difficult to retain well qualified
candidates in this critical youth development role. The most recent Coordinator resigned recently
and staff are recommending that we take the opportunity of a vacant position to bring the salary
up to the statewide average. This increase would be more than 10% of the salary so there is a
WSU administrative approval that would be required. Staff believe that having a competitive
salary will increase the breadth and depth of the applicant pool and help in retaining a high-
quality Coordinator. Staff brings forward this request at this time because, while the current
Extension budget can accommodate a salary increase for the position in 2021, in order to sustain
that salary in 2022 and beyond, a permanent increase to the MOA funding level would be
required. WSU can not advertise the position with an increased salary unless we are sure that the
funding will be available.
Salary for the WSU Jefferson County Small Farms Coordinator has been partially underwritten
by support from Kitsap and Clallam Counties. Kitsap County withdrew support in 2021 and
Clallam County has indicated it will likely withdraw support in 2022. While the salary for the
WSU Jefferson County Small Farms Coordinator is right at the state average $46,476, County
contribution for that salary has been$40,563. Over the past several years, support from Kitsap
and Clallam Counties for this position has covered the difference. Kitsap was not able to
continue supporting this position as of 2021 and Clallam has indicated they will be unlikely to
continue beyond 2021. As a result, we will need to back-fill support for that position to retain it
at full-time. Supporting an increase in the MOA as requested starting in 2022 would make up
part of the difference. The remainder would come from workshop revenue and by using some of
the funds made available by the scheduled end of Extension's payments on an interfund loan, as
noted below.
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost of the proposed changes for the remainder of 2021 is $4,500
which can be absorbed in Extension's existing 2021 budget, because of vacancies and staffing
reductions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the cost is approximately $14,000,
which would be covered by adding $10,000 to the County's on-going support for Extension, and
by using some of the funds made available by the scheduled end of Extension's payments on an
interfund loan. The County's share of costs is for salary. WSU will be responsible for all benefit
costs.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board pass a Motion supporting
Extension's staffing plan as presented, and supporting the County's intent to include an
additional $10,000 of ongoing support for Extension starting with the 2022 County Budget and
Memorandum of Agreement that the County executes annually with WSU.
REVI WED BY;,,.---� /
t-'Philip Mor ;County Admir istrator Date