HomeMy WebLinkAbout20042948.tiff • • • <r ,i •
In I
University
Cooperative Extension
Colorado State University
Office of the Director
1 Administration Building
Fort Collins,Colorado 80523-4040
(970)491-6281
FAX:(970)491-6208
September 24, 2004
TO: Chair, Board of Commissioners
FROM:
Milan A. Rewerts, Director
SUBJECT: CSUCE Cost Recovery and User Fee Program
In October 2004 Cooperative Extension will implement a cost recovery and user fee program to
increase revenue in support of Extension's educational programs and services. Cooperative
Extension operates in the public domain and receives funding from public and private sources for
its educational programs and projects, including annual appropriations from federal, state, and
county governments. Historically,user fees have been limited to basic cost recovery for materials
and other small direct costs for individual programs.With reduced state appropriations to
Cooperative Extension's budget, new revenue sources are needed to maintain quality programs
and services. Thus,a cost recovery and user fee program will be implemented with financial
targets for the next three fiscal years as follows:
2004-2005: $150,000 to$300,000
2005-2006: $275,000 to$425,000
2006-2007: $400,000 to$550,000
Financial targets for fees to be collected to support the state Extension budget have been
established for each county based on the fact that programs are primarily delivered at the local
level. The formula for financial targets is based on formula funded agents,population and cost-of-
living adjusted household income.
The user fee program has been developed to allow appropriate local flexibility in support of cost
recovery through educational efforts that generate revenue. Monies gained at the state level will
be used for program support, technology support and enhancement, staff development(to insure
that staff are provided opportunities to stay current in their disciplines), and to retain Extension
positions based on the budget situation.
2004-2948
Colorado State University,U.S.Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating.
M'S-CV/ at l(�/9- Cooperative Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.
Oct-en- M ; iLg-r-
I have made it clear to our Extension Agent staff that financial targets are not intended to be
passed along to our County partners as budget requests. If,however, the Board of
Commissioners decides to include the office revenue targets as a line item in the county budget,
and work with the office on how this line item will be funded,that is your option. We have
encouraged our offices to implement user fees as a source of revenue,much like we have done
with 4-H participation fees that were implemented in October 2003. You may recall that at that
time we assessed five dollars per traditional club member and one dollar per special interest
project enrollment. These 4-H fees have helped us maintain the strength of our 4-H program by
insuring continuity in program support.
Your County or Area Director may have already discussed these changes in Cooperative
Extension with you. If you have questions and/or comments,I encourage you to talk with your
County/Area Director, or your Regional Director, and as always,I would be glad to discuss this
with you.
MAR:mep
CC: County/Area Directors
Hello