County Budget Advocacy The Role of Advisory Leadership
County Contributions Salaries of faculty and staff – % Operations – 10 – 20 % Utilities Building rent Supplies Computers Training
SITUATIONAL NEEDS New anything… Budget shortfall and cuts Long-term projects
County Budgeting Process Phase 1 – Budget request and development January – February Phase 2 – Budget presentation and hearings March – April Phase 3 – Follow-through and relationship building –May through December
County Extension Director Role Network in strategic social and political systems. Keep county manager informed. Maintain good relationships in county Budget Office. Prepare budget. Develop and prepare advisory council.
Advisory Council Role Understand Extension budget needs. Advise director on strategy. Use personal network to stay informed. Make appropriate contacts.
PHASE 1 Advisory Leader Roles Council informed of Extension budget and special requests. Council involved with planning and conducting a Report to Commissioners
PHASE 2 Advisory Leader Roles Attend Budget Hearings. Speak at budget hearings. Develop strategies to handle crisis situations that develop. Activate rapid response network as needed.
PHASE 3 Advisory Leader Roles Stay abreast of changes in political structure. Call commissioners or manager to clarify issues informally. Build relationships with current commissioners and manager. Learn as much as possible about newly elected commissioners or new county manager.
Report to Commissioners Purpose is to report impacts and justify programs. Timing is ideally during Phase 3 but many do in Phase 1 of the process. Advisory leaders in the lead role.
Rapid Response System Activated when Extension budget is threatened. County Director will call advisory leaders who can make a contact with a critical person. All advisory leaders alerted of the situation.
Advisory Leader DOs Thank Commissioners for support. Work as a team with the county director. Develop consistent communication points. Study elected officials interests. Be prepared with accurate facts.
Advisory Leader DON’Ts Get discouraged if request is not funded this budget cycle. Insult a commissioner or be rude.