Representatives of Washington State University Spokane Cooperative Extension described outreach and program activity for 2024 and asked the Spokane County Board of County Commissioners to consider contract structure and funding levels for 2026.

A WSU presenter said extension programs directly reached about 50,000 people in 2024 and estimated an additional 150,000 people were reached indirectly. The county‑funded local extension office reported a staff of eight and programs including Master Gardener volunteer training (about 166 volunteers in 2024 who logged roughly 16,683 hours), youth 4‑H programming and water‑quality education. The extension office said proceeds from a spring plant sale raised $37,200 and that some of those proceeds support staff positions.

Commissioners reminded staff that the board had previously asked outside agencies to reduce funding and that direction for WSU had been to start conversation at about a 50 percent reduction from the prior year allocation. Budget staff said they prepopulated the 2026 worksheet at a reduced figure corresponding to a roughly 50 percent cut (presented as about $268,500) and that the county’s last clear direction was to consolidate payments under a single contract for services rather than separate contracts and direct staffing payments.

Several commissioners asked whether WSU could receive funding as a reimbursable contract rather than a flat check. The reimbursable approach would pay actual expenses (for example, unfilled positions or months without incumbents) rather than the full annual allocation and was described by commissioners as a way to align payments with work performed and reduce county exposure for positions that may be vacant for portions of the year. WSU said it could operate under a reimbursable contract if it did not create an excessive administrative burden.

Commissioners discussed requesting more detail on which specific county dollars pay for which positions and programs. WSU said county funds primarily subsidize the salaries of seven local staff who deliver community programming; faculty and some program funding come from WSU and external grants.

The board did not take a final funding vote but several commissioners said they would use the 50 percent reduction figure as a placeholder when staff prepare the tentative budget for later action. Commissioners also directed staff to explore a reimbursable contract structure and to return with more detail on administration burden and likely savings.

Ending: The board asked budget staff to keep the 50 percent placeholder for WSU Cooperative Extension while they evaluate a reimbursable contract option and to provide additional documentation on staff positions and county‑funded items before final budget adoption.