DATE: April 10th, 2026

SUBJECT: County Funding for Oklahoma State University Extensions

TO: Jason Lowe, District 1, Commissioner

       Brian Maughan, District 2, Commissioner

       Paul Foster, District 3, Commissioner

We, the undersigned, formally protest the 73% reduction in county appropriations to the Oklahoma County Extension Service resulting in an overall 83% funding cut to one of the County’s highest-leverage public investments.

This cut will:

1.     Deprive Oklahoma County Citizens of a wide range of vital educational and safety programs not otherwise accessible to youth, adults, and families at little or no cost.

2.     Jeopardize environmental services which provide low-cost testing for the safety of Oklahoma’s wells and land.

3.     Diminish professional educator support to the mission of the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

4.     Remove diagnostic onsite agricultural support and testing from business nurseries to small business landscaping companies to farmers to property owners.

5.     Lose citizen free access to professional educators licensed in nutrition, agriculture, and horticulture licensed through Oklahoma State University.

6.     Eliminate matching state, federal, grant, and private funding used within the Oklahoma County.

7.     Remove the County presence and connection in its schools, non-profits, faith organizations, County Departments, businesses, and community groups.

8.     Reduce Citizen access to disaster preparedness planning and household financial assistance to communities.

9.     Increases the risk of early detection of the State’s invasive plants and insect infestations which could decimate crops, wildlife, and ecosystems.

10.  Withdraws the long-term fiscal benefits of a preventative program which lowers juvenile justice, reduces health related expenditures, improves household financial stability, and supports community resilience during disasters.

We understand the County faces difficult budget decisions, but reducing one of the County’s highest-return investments is fiscally counterproductive. The Oklahoma County Extension Service converts thousands of County dollars into greater investments for the public good and delivers trusted services directly into County businesses and neighborhoods.

A 73% cut does not simply reduce the Extension; it effectively eliminates it. Local governments and its Citizens deserve better.