IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County Board Chairman Dan Harrington says a decision to eliminate Michigan State University Extension funding from the county’s 2025 budget is final, though it remains to be seen if the majority of the five-member board agrees.

Commissioner Joe Stevens on Monday called for a meeting on the subject in light of a request last month from the Extension’s district director to reconsider the $81,000 cut.

Harrington, in response, said the issue is closed after the board voted 3-1 on Jan. 13 to end the funding. “I won’t (call a meeting) at this time unless more information comes forward,” he said.

The board chairman said MSU is in a much better position than the county to pay for Extension services.

“Let MSU fund their own Extension agent,” Harrington said, claiming MSU is “bilking” local taxpayers. Citing billions of dollars in MSU endowment funds, he described the Extension services agreement as “the rich stealing from the poor taxpayers of the county.”

Dickinson County’s allocation for MSU was approved in December during 2025 budget planning. State and federal funding is the Extension’s main support, but counties help pay for programming to fit specific needs. In Dickinson County’s case, the allocation enables a full-time 4-H youth program coordinator.

Harrington, however, cited a Freedom Farmers group in Merriman as an example of a youth agricultural program that operates outside of 4-H. He further described 4-H as “a woke, crazy organization.”

Stevens, in seeking a reconsideration of Extension funding, said he believes $81,000 for MSU Extension is “a small amount of money to provide for the future of our community.” Dickinson County, Stevens added, “does not squander our money.”

Stevens is the only returning county board member. Harrington and three others were newly elected in November and seated Jan. 1.

It was Harrington who proposed the funding elimination Jan. 13, citing voter rejection of proposed MSU millages in May 2015 and August 2016. The 3-1 vote — with Stevens dissenting — came after a number of citizens spoke in support of 4-H, particularly the Proud Equestrians Program for people with disabilities.

Harrington on Monday said the Proud Equestrians Program receives funding through the United Way of Dickinson County.

Commissioner Kevin Sullivan, who abstained from the Jan. 13 vote, reported PEP last summer was staffed in part by 20 volunteers with 17 riders participating. Sullivan said the board is “looking very carefully” into 4-H and other youth programs and a future path is “a work in progress.”

Stevens, in response to Harrington, said it would be a mistake “to penalize our local youth because Michigan State has gobs of money.”

Dickinson County ended Extension funding after the millage defeats nearly a decade ago but resumed it in 2022 and provided $75,000 in both 2023 and 2024. The money comes from the county’s share of adult-use marijuana state tax distributions, which totaled $177,259 in 2024.

During citizens’ time, the board heard comments both pro and con on the Extension and 4-H.

Tony Erickson of Kingsford said “a lot of the programs they do are redundant” and the county’s allocation could be better spent, while Tom Pugh of Iron Mountain said the Extension’s services are “a relic of the past.”

Barbara Wilson of Iron Mountain said the board should consider the needs of families and support the Extension and 4-H. Tracy Asanuma, also of Iron Mountain, said 4-H is uniquely valuable in teaching life skills and “opening up doors of opportunity.”

Paul Putnam, Extension district director for the central and western Upper Peninsula, addressed the county board during a Jan. 27 finance meeting, seeking further talks. Putnam has also provided information individually to commissioners on the Extension’s budget and services, including 4H.

Besides paying for a full-time 4-H coordinator with an office at Bay College’s Iron Mountain campus, the Extension funding has expanded offerings from regional educators in other areas such as agriculture, health and nutrition, natural resources, community and family. Jessica Ice is the current 4-H coordinator, while community educator Libby Hansen began working on nutrition initiatives in Dickinson and Iron counties in May.