County and University continue interlocal discussion for Extension services, agree to delay transition

Gage County supervisors and representatives of the University of Nebraska Extension discussed options Oct. 30 for a new interlocal agreement that would govern cooperative extension services in the county.

Dave Varner, associate director with Nebraska Extension, outlined three options: maintain the status quo where the county retains support staff and the university provides educators; a hybrid that preserves county employment for support staff while allowing an additional extension assistant; or shifting support positions to university payroll (which raises a requirement that those employees receive the university’s standard pay and benefits package). Varner said the university cannot accept a partial-reimbursement model that caps salary or benefits because university employees must be treated consistently across the system.

Board members and extension leaders discussed budget line items, the timing of any transition and the effect of university pay/benefit schedules. The university said it bills quarterly for actual costs and that an interlocal that places support staff on university payroll would require clear fiscal assurances from the county for ongoing reimbursements.

After questions and negotiation, supervisors signaled support for continuing the current (status quo) arrangement through the end of the fiscal year and to reconvene with the university and staff to work through budget numbers and the mechanics of any transition in the spring — with the goal of deciding well before a July 1 effective date if a change is to occur.

No final contract was signed Oct. 30; the board requested a budget line and a concrete timeline for review in the next fiscal-cycle budget discussions.