Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series that looks closer at extension districts, what they are and how they work.
K-State Research and Extension districts in Kansas see more specialization and more agent resources when forming an extension taxing district, along with the ability to budget more efficiently.
The districts have been in Kansas since 1991, when the Legislature passed the extension district act. The formation of the district with Chase and Lyon counties was brought to Lyon County commissioners last week.
According to the K-State Research and Extension Web site, since the extension district act’s passage in 1991, any two or more counties can legally work together to form an extension district. According to the Web site, 23 counties have formed eight districts in Kansas from 1994 to 2008. In 1994, Mitchell and Lincoln counties formed Post Rock District with Jewell and Osborne counties joining in 2005.
Central Kansas District became the third district in the state, joining together the resources of Saline and Ottawa counties. The district is most comparable to Lyon and Chase counties in terms of population and a larger county forming a district with a smaller county. Carl Garten, director of the Central Kansas District, said each county maintains its own office under the district and agents are stationed in each county. There are eight agents total in the district — six in the Salina office and two in the Minneapolis office.
Pooling resources and forming a district allows counties more specilization, Garten said.
“It allows agents, especially in a two-agent county, to specialize in an area instead of being a jack of all trades,” he said, adding that the residents of the area benefit from getting detailed information from that agent as well.
For Saline and Ottawa counties, forming a district meant bringing together budgets as well.
“You’re going from begging from county commissioners to actually working in a way similar to a school board does,” Garten said.
Extension district board members are voted on by the public just like city commissioners and county commissioners, Garten said. According to K-State Research and Extension, the governing body of each district has four board members from each county. The first governing body is created by the county commissions of the respective counties. After that, board members are elected in April of each odd year for four-year terms.
“Every county has equal representation no matter what their population is,” Garten said.
Blending of services sometimes takes some getting used to. Garten said Saline and Ottawa counties blended their 4-H program into one.
“We do not have separate 4-H programs,” he said. “That has taken some time for people to get used to.”
Other than the blending of the 4-H program, the population in the Central Kansas District didn’t see a lot of drastic changes other than the enhancement of programming.
“We have very seniored staff here in this district,” Garten said, adding that many of the agents in the district have worked in the field for more than 20 years, making the transition to districting easier.
Garten said there was no protest to the districting in his area.
K-State Research and Extension states that a district is formed by a resolution from each respective county stating intention of joining the district. The issue will only go to vote if 5 percent of the county’s qualified electors file a valid petition with the county election officer. That did not happen in Ottawa and Saline counties.
“It never was protested,” Garten said. “The public’s reaction was very good.”
Flint_Hills_Sage (anonymous) says...
... I'll bet you money that any joint venture will end up with all the people and resources in Emporia. If I'm wrong, let's hope they build a new facility out near Plymouth on US-50 West to serve everyone.
August 25, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SFIns (anonymous) says...
If a district is formed I am sure they will expect a new building in chase since they just got a new building in lyon county.
“You’re going from begging from county commissioners to actually working in a way similar to a school board does,” Garten said.
If you read between the lines it says, chase county hasn't given into all our demands and given us a new building so we want to be able to tax people ourselves. And how can you compare schools to extension services?
August 25, 2009 at 9:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Let the people VOTE on this from the get go! If it is presented well it will pass. Petition smells like "sneak it in".
August 25, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Blue_Dog (anonymous) says...
Consolidation is the way. In this day and age. Not the ability to tax the county next door to fund your wants. Decide what your needs are and fund them.
What they also haven't said is that at the county budget meeting the extension service currently gets 2 votes along with the county commission so it only takes 1 commissioner to go along with what they want, to get it. Now they want complete control to raise taxes.
August 25, 2009 at 9:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
admireed- This is like the smoking ban issue. In Kansas for something like this or a smoking ban to come to a vote it must be first adopted by action of the governing body- i.e. the City or County Commission(s). Once voted in by that body, then a challenge petition must be filed with 5%(?) of the registerd voters signing, then it can come to a vote. The challenge vote would only occur in the county in which the petition is filed, and a vote rejecting the action would over ride the vote of the governing body, thus cancelling the pact. I think the petition must be filed within 60 days of the commission vote, or something like that.
September 2, 2009 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Still no. Idea sounds good to me but let all of us hear the issue discussed OVER SEVERAL YEARS then bring it to a vote...no petition...a real vote to see if we want it. What is the big hurry? Another taxing authority is worth thinking about.
September 2, 2009 at 1:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )