Cooperative Extension

The workload for the University of California Cooperative Extension programs has increased in recent years. At the same time, there has been an overall decline in the budget since 1990 by the County of Riverside for its share of the funding partnership of Cooperative Extension programs. The following table reflects the decline in county support since 1989. 1989-90 386,000 1990-91 395,000 1991-92 358,000 1992-93 323,000 1993-94 288,000 1994-95 290,000 1995-96 289,000 1996-97 282,000 1997-98 290,000 1998-99 288,000

The partners in Cooperative Extension funding, county, university and federal government, rely on each other for the organization to function at full potential. In recent years, limited funds have made this nonmandated programming extremely difficult to maintain. Funding does not reflect any consideration for the Consumer Price Index or salary upgrades. 3.At the Blythe facility, Cooperative Extension is currently sharing space in the Agricultural Commissioner's office in the County Administrative Center. Due to the shortage of staff, it is only manned part time. 4.Custodial service reduced to once per week in all three offices during the recession is inadequate for the present increased work load. 5.To augment the clerical staff, Master Gardeners and students, when available, supply volunteer support for some essential clerical functions. 6.The department is still understaffed by 2.5 personnel to cover the extensive county's heavy workload.

Previous grand jury reports, to which the Board of Supervisors concurred, recommended the county honor its commitment to fund its appropriate share of the cost of operating the Cooperative Extension. To date, this has not been done.