Erin Carter, director MSUE district

MARQUETTE — Michigan State University Extension will move forward with less money in its coffers.

The Marquette County Board of Commissioners in December failed to amend the fiscal year 2021 budget to include extra money for MSUE.

Erin Carter, director of the MSUE district that covers Marquette, Alger, Luce, Schoolcraft, Mackinac and Chippewa counties, had indicated that the reduction puts extension programming about $13,000 below its base funding amount of $59,562 from the county.

Liana Pepin, Marquette County 4-H educator with MSU Extension, which includes 4-H programming, noted in an email that the county commissioners had to deal with a budget reduction of $455,000 from fiscal year 2020.

Minutes from the Dec. 15 meeting show that Marquette County Administrator Scott Erbisch pointed out that had it not been for the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System working with the county with a level payment plan, more reductions or use of reserves would have been included.

Erbisch said that he and county Finance Manager Anne Giroux were concerned about this fiscal year given the uncertainties of the effects the COVID-19 pandemic might have on county operations and revenues.

However, he spoke in favor of increasing MSUE funding at the meeting, even though the amendment did not pass.

With the financial shortfall, Carter said MSUE will move forward with its positions as it normally does and be a good partner with the county this year.

“In the coming years, I’m not sure what we’ll do then,” she said. “I am assuming that we’ll start cutting programs.”

Carter expressed hope that budget differences can be worked out for 2022.

“After this year, it might get to be a little bit more worrisome,” Carter said.

As for 4-H, Pepin noted MSU has agreed to fund her position for this year to try to “maintain our strong partnership.”

One upcoming program is Youth in Government Day, with several schools, including Ishpeming and Marquette Senior high schools and North Star Academy, already expressing interest, said Pepin, who noted county government will provide support.

Darren Bagley and Brian Wibby, MSU Extension staff who specialize in leadership and civic engagement and youth development, will be part of the program.

“In typical K-12 education, students learn a great deal about federal government, a tiny bit about state government and often very little about local government,” Pepin said. “Local government often makes the biggest influence on your daily life, and it is also where, by being an engaged citizen, you can have the greatest impact.” She said 4-H is looking to bring together a group of high school students from across Marquette County — virtually this year, of course — to educate them on what county government does and how they can make a difference.

The tentative outline for the one-day event involves youths learning about different perspectives on government and how to talk with people who might think differently from them politically.

Key county government officials and staff will be invited to engage with youth for 10-15 minutes. Officials and staff will be provided with a set of questions before the program, which they can use to structure an introduction to share with students about themselves and their role in county government.

Pepin said that rather than being a one-way “lecture,” 4-H staff hopes these conversations will provide an opportunity for engaging interaction between youth and officials, with youth asking questions, and officials and staff telling interesting stories that illustrate the function of their positions or departments within county government.

The event is slated to take place in late May or early June.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.