Piscataquis County Executive Committee Emergency Budget Meeting
December 19, 2022, at 6:30 pm by Zoom link provided by the Piscataquis Extension office.
Members Present: Kim Merritt, Joe Dietz, Rick Cabot, and Beth McEvoy.
Members Absent: Sarah Robinson
Extension Staff Present: Laurie Bowen, Sheila Norman, Anette Moulton, Donna Coffin.
Guests: Lisa Phelps
President Beth McEvoy called an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the Piscataquis County Cooperative Extension to order on 12/19/2022 at 6:30 PM. A quorum of members was established. The matter of discussion was to address the 10% budget reduction of all Grants awarded by the Piscataquis County Commissioners, which will result in a significant budget deficit for our county office.
Our County support has been reduced from $27,450 in 2022 to $24,705 in 2023.
Our goal was to prioritize budget lines that we thought should not change and where it might be possible to absorb budget reductions without compromising service to County residents.
An Excel sheet of budgetary options to address a modified 2023 budget was compiled by Sheila, Donna and Beth prior to the meeting and distributed to members present via a link. It was immediately apparent that many were unfamiliar with the line “on call” expense, and Staff explained the emergency coverage option to the Committee. After an exchange of ideas, it was decided that the budgeted amount of $1000 should stand.
The remainder of the meeting addressed the contents of the “options chart”. After a thorough analytic discussion, it was decided unanimously by the Committee members that the B/C option which retains our current office open 28 hours/3.5 days/week (see enclosed chart) would be in the best interests of the residents of Piscataquis County. This would require an outlay of an additional $8794 from the carryover funds to meet the shortfall of the Commissioner’s 10% budget reduction, which posed a challenge. The Executive Committee had approved over ~$4000 in carryover to support our previous 2023 budget request, so that amount was again supported by the Committee. Lisa Phelps then stated that the University of Maine Cooperative Extension would supplement up to $4000 to further offset the difference. The committee thanked Lisa for the generous offer and expressed our appreciation for the support of the Extension Leadership.
President McEvoy then adjourned the meeting at 7:15 PM.
Submitted by: Rick Cabot