County Extension Office May Relocate To STE

Once seemingly destined for the Tutterow building in Cuba, the Crawford County University of Missouri Extension Office could be staying put in Steelville.

An option has been presented to the county that would place the Extension office and Soil and Water Conservation District in a building owned the Steelville Telephone Exchange.

The cost would be $1,000 per month for five years in a 2,700 square foot building. 

STE’s original price was $1,500 per month.

In August, the Extension had voted 10-1 to move to the county-owned Tutterow building.

During the commission’s Sept. 19 meeting, Pat Snodgrass advocated for the extension to remain in Steelville and share the costs of a building with the Soil and Water district.

Snodgrass said it would be cheaper than relocating to Cuba, but Presiding Commissioner Steve Black said utilities would be between $250 to $450 per month.

Black pointed out that while it seemed “a majority” of citizens wanted the Extension to remain in Steelville, the board was angling for a move to Cuba.

When Black added that it was a majority vote, Snodgrass and Fannie Lea said those on the board who lived in the county’s south side had not voted.

However, there are 16 people on the board and a majority had voted to move to Cuba.

When Amy England of Three Rivers Publishing asked Snodgrass if she was on the water district board, Snodgrass said she was not, but advocating for Extension employees. England asked if Snodgrass was on the board for STE and she said she was.

During the Sept. 26 meeting, Extension Chairwoman Linda Bast and member Mike Zuzack  addressed the commission. Bast and Zuzack said they were going to tour possible locations in Steelville that would house both entities.

Black reported during the Oct. 3 meeting that STE was offering to cover the cost of utilities, macitence and any remodeling.

The Extension office has been an oft-discussed topic for the last six months.

Bast brought plans for a new office to the commission during the March 28 meeting.

That followed an Extension meeting in February when District 2 Commissioner Jared Boast said a new facility had been discussed.

Member Kim Gibbs told commissioners during the April 25 meeting that there had never been any discussion of moving to Cuba.

Black told the Extension council to get on the same page.