OSU EXTENSIONS Tax defeats leave future in question

Loss of sales tax revenue could affect extension programs such as 4-H.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Failure of the sales tax issues in Mahoning and Columbiana counties has Ohio State University Extension officials holding their breath.
Depending on future decisions of commissioners in both counties, the failures could result in cuts to both programs.
About $296,000, nearly the entire extension budget for Mahoning County, comes from the Mahoning County sales tax, said Dave Goerig, director of Mahoning County extension programs. Ernie Oelker, Columbiana County agent, said Columbiana County extension receives $150,000 from that county's sales tax, which is supplemented by state and federal funds.
"It was close and that's unfortunate," Goerig said of the Mahoning County tax defeat. "We won't know our situation until we're told."
Oelker said Columbiana County commissioners may put the sales tax before voters in May. He has some idea of the impact of the sales tax loss, however, because it's happened before.
Columbiana County extension now has five full-time employees. Before a sales tax in 2000, there was one part-time person.
4-H program
Oelker said without the sales tax revenue, for example, there was no 4-H agent, so the various junior fair livestock committees kept the 4-H program running so 4-H youth could participate in county and state fairs. The committees and the 4-H members spent much of their time on fund-raisers and some of the proceeds were used to help pay the part-time employee.
Goerig said the Mahoning County budget this year allowed for replacement of a leaking roof and painting of the extension office, so if the budget is reduced those repairs won't be a worry.
He hoped to hire a home economics agent and offer an elderly nutrition program geared toward teaching the elderly about the importance of nutrition in later life. The program can't be offered, however, if there is no home economics agent.
"We are just going to think optimistically and get through this," Goerig said. He believes voters defeated the tax requests to voice displeasure with county officials.
"If someone is upset with a person, they should go and talk to that person, not take out their anger on all of government and its programs," he said.
tullis@vindy.com