A measure on the May 18 ballot would increase funding for Oregon State University’s Extension Service in Lane County. The 5-year levy would support the service in more places.
Measure 20-319 would replace an existing local property tax and increase it to 2.8 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. Leigh Rieder is a Master Gardener with OSU Extension. She told KLCC the current levy is set to expire.
“In other words if this one were not to pass then extension would shrink drastically,” Rieder said. “And it would be hard for it to even remain in existence because county funding is such a cornerstone of its budget.”
OSU Extension currently gets 42% of its budget from county funds. Measure 20-319 would help it serve more communities in Lane County.
Rieder described OSU Extension Servoce as a public work that increases access to University education.
“So, extension agents and hundreds of trained volunteers literally extend research based information from OSU to all Oregonians, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” Rieder said.
OSU Extension offers 4-H, as well as advice and classes in gardening, food preservation, wildfire preparedness and more.
The deadline to vote in the special election is May 18th.
Copyright 2021 KLCC.
