Extension office highlights volunteer impact, asks for small equipment purchases and a drone

A Florida Extension Service representative (speaker 5) told the commission the local extension office delivered significant outreach in the prior year — citing about 2,400 volunteer hours (equivalent to roughly 9.8 full-time positions) and outreach to approximately 24,000 clients across 267 group events — and outlined small equipment requests plus a higher-profile capital interest in a drone to assist grower outreach and field assessments.

The presenter said the extension’s FY25 donations totaled roughly $56,000 and that the office uses fundraising and grant matches to amplify limited county support. Line items requested included a rotary cutter (~$4,000) for grounds maintenance and a drone (the speaker cited a model eligible under state procurement constraints) estimated at about $17,000; the representative said university procurement lists limit which devices can be purchased and that costs had risen.

Staff and commissioners noted the bulk of the extension budget is a contractual relationship with the University of Florida/IFAS, and a contract figure of about $856,000 was discussed for that agreement. Commissioners asked for follow-up on the IFAS contract review and the exact scope of county-contracted services. The extension representative also flagged growth in 4‑H participation and volunteer leader counts as a program success metric.

No formal decision was made; the capital items and contract details will be evaluated in the county’s standard budget review process and through the county’s procurement and legal review as needed.