Lane County Sends Local Option 5-Cent Levy for OSU Extension

Lane County commissioners unanimously voted Feb. 3 to refer a five-year local option levy to the May 19, 2026 ballot that would replace the expiring 2.8 cents per $1,000 levy with a 5 cents per $1,000 levy to fund OSU Extension Service - Lane County. The change would increase the levy rate from 2.8 cents to 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value and, if approved, continue a funding arrangement that has accounted for a substantial share of Extension operations.

The proposed levy is framed as a renewal and increase to support 4-H and Oregon State University Extension programs in Lane County. Extension officials have said funds would be used to expand 4-H and other youth programming, maintain volunteer programs including Master Gardener, Master Food Preserver, Compost and Pruning Specialist, Food Pantry, and Master Woodland Manager, provide technical assistance to farmers, woodland owners and nursery growers, expand youth education encouraging high school completion and college access, develop community emergency preparedness and resilience programs, develop natural resources education programs, and add a McKenzie-area satellite office in addition to existing Oakridge and Florence offices.

Since 2016 the extension service has used a local option levy, which accounts for 42% of its budget. The service currently reports 16 employees and more than 450 volunteers supporting its outreach and education work. County funding for Extension was eliminated in 2010 as part of budget cuts, shifting long-term reliance onto voter-approved levies; voters previously approved Measure 20-239 on May 17, 2016 by a 70% to 30% margin to levy 1.5 cents per $1,000 beginning in 2016-17.

Public comment at the commissioners’ meeting included people who work for or use Extension urging support; commissioners characterized referring the measure as an easy decision. “Everything (the extension does) is bettering lives,” Commissioner Pat Farr said, particularly calling out 4‑H and the master gardener program.

County staff documentation outlines procedural follow-up should the measure be placed on the ballot and if voters approve it. County Counsel will prepare the necessary documents for the County Clerk. If the measure passes, the County Administrator will assign appropriate county staff to develop an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Extension Service office of Lane County. The ballot measure will appear on the May 19 ballot; if voters approve it, the new five-year levy would replace the expiring levy and fund the described expansions and services.

For residents, the immediate next steps are the May 19 vote and later administrative work to finalize the county-Extension agreement if the measure passes. The decision will determine whether OSU Extension can expand youth programs, maintain its volunteer corps, add a McKenzie satellite office, and continue providing technical assistance that county officials and program participants say supports local agriculture, natural resources and community resilience.