1. County Budget Advocacy The Role of Advisory Leadership

2. County Contributions  Salaries of faculty and staff – 80- 90%  Operations – 10 – 20 %  Utilities  Building rent  Supplies  Computers  Training

3. SITUATIONAL NEEDS  New anything…  Budget shortfall and cuts  Long-term projects

4. 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

5. 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.

6. Advisory Council Role  Understand Extension budget needs.  Advise director on strategy.  Use personal network to stay informed.  Make appropriate contacts.

7. PHASE 1 Advisory Leader Roles  Council informed of Extension budget and special requests.  Council involved with planning and conducting a Report to Commissioners

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. Advisory Leader DON’Ts  Get discouraged if request is not funded this budget cycle.  Insult a commissioner or be rude.