PORT ANGELES — Clallam County extended its agreement with Washington State University Extension for the local office Tuesday.
WSU Extension provides educational programs around the state in agriculture and natural resources, family living, community resource development and 4-H youth.
The county committed $21,630 for the extension director’s salary and $8,900 for the 4-H youth development program leader.
Clallam County won’t pay the director’s salary, however, until it gets a new director.
Former Clallam County Extension Director Curtis Beus took a lateral transfer to Okanogan County on April 1. WSU hopes to replace Beus by summer.
Clallam County also provides office space and computer support at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St.
“It’s really just an extension of the current agreement, which covers the rest of this year, which we already have in the budget,” County Administrator Jim Jones said.
County commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the memorandum of agreement with WSU.
In Jefferson County, Extension Director Katherine Baril retired Jan. 1.
The Pullman-based university is trying to fill both positions with directors who have complementary skills and could work in both counties.
Gena Royal, Clallam County Extension 4-H program leader, is the interim director in Clallam County.
Pamela Roberts, also a 4-H program leader, is the interim director of the Jefferson County Extension.
Extensions are the result of land grant colleges that were established by the federal government in 1900 to bring educational programs to rural areas.
The Clallam County Extension office has more than 300 active volunteers.
In other news, the commissioners Tuesday appointed Mary Wegmann, Norma Turner and Linda Redmond to the county’s Chemical Dependency and Mental Health Program Fund Advisory Board.
“I think those are three strong appointments to make the advisory board better than it has been,” said Commissioner Steve Tharinger.
Commissioners Mike Chapman and Mike Doherty agreed.
Tharinger, who also is a 24th District representative in the state Legislature, participated in the county meeting by speaker phone from Olympia.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
