University of Missouri extension takes budgetary action

In response to budget cuts, the University of Missouri Greene County Extension is relocating one of its employees to Taney County.

Jim Wirth, human development specialist for the extension, is moving in July, according to a news release.

Maintained as a partnership between the Greene County Commission and the University of Missouri, the Greene County Extension center has taken annual budget cuts for the past three years. The county allocated $95,000 to the extension in 2009, and $27,000 both in 2010 and 2011. The allocation dropped to the state minimum of $10,000 for 2012, according to the  Greene County Extension Council.

“I want to thank the [Extension] Council for doing everything possible as a volunteer group to survive from financial drowning,” Wirth said in the release. “I’ve been in Greene County for 16 years."

The University of Missouri funds the salaries, benefits, training and computer support for the five specialists in Greene County. County funds pay administrative assistants and office expenses such as phone services, copies, travel, office supplies and some postage. According to the release, the extension has dipped further into its reserve fund as county allocations have dropped.

While in Greene County, Wirth has offered programs for topics including child care, marriage, parenting, seniors, workforce development and healthy living. Since 1999, Wirth has delivered 2,519 programs on 137 topics to 60,052 attendees in Greene County, the release said.

“(Wirth) is being moved to a county where the county commission provides adequate funding for the local office and is able to provide the support he needs to be able to do his job,” said Jay Chism, southwest region director for MU Extension, in the release. “Greene County has had a great interest in programs related to families, elderly and human development. But this move makes meeting those needs much more difficult and creates a lot of challenges for our volunteer council.”