Extension office asks commissioners to advertise for expanded secretary hours; board to revisit funding at budget season

Steele County extension staff told commissioners on March 2 that the office is struggling to keep up with mailings, registration processing and 4‑H activities after a recent resignation and requested permission to advertise for additional hours or consider a full‑time secretary.

Extension staff said the current position is county‑paid for about 16 hours a week and described the burden of intermittent schedules that leave office work inconsistent. The extension representative asked for the board’s blessing to advertise; commissioners discussed the likely cost of a full‑time hire (staff estimated roughly $32,000 in salary plus an additional $8,000–$12,000 for benefits, producing an approximate total near $40,000–$42,000) and asked that the extension advertise now for part‑time help and revisit full‑time funding during the next budget cycle.

Commissioners expressed sympathy for staffing challenges and encouraged the extension office to advertise immediately and, if needed, seek temporary assistance from a former employee or an intern while a permanent hire is sought. "If it pencils out, it could happen," a commissioner said of increasing hours at budget time.

The commission agreed to advertise the opening and to consider adding hours at the next budget review.