Stephens County Extension Coordinator seeking funds for new 4-H Van

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners received a request from Stephens County Extension Coordinator Susan Yearwood for 4-H Bus funding.

Yearwood came before the Commission last week during its regular scheduled meeting asking the Commission to consider earmarking the remaining $15,000 in the CARES Act Funds for the extension office to go towards the purchase of a new bus for the 4-H Program.

Yearwood said she’s looked for a used van but so far hasn’t had any luck finding a suitable one.

Yearwood said the current bus they have is 20 years old and is no longer reliable for longer trips.

She says she would prefer to keep the used van for local trips; but, would prefer to have another reliable van for longer trips.

Yearwood said she’s looking at several avenues for funding.

Vice Chair Dennis Bell asked Yearwood how many times the 20-year-old van has broken down while traveling.

Yearwood said over the years theres been two instances where they had to have the bus serviced mid-trip.

Commissioner Michelle Ivester asked if the 4-H program had considered renting a van for the trips out of town. Yearwood said she’s rented buses in the past but was expensive.

Yearwood said using the University of Georgia’s fleet of vans is complicated because they may not have what you need.

Chairman James Addison asked if the 4-H program could use a bus from the Stephens County School System; but, Yearwood said in the past that hasn’t been an option since she isn’t one of the school system’s bus drivers.

A motion to earmark $15,000 from CARES Act funding for a 4-H van was made by Commissioner Dean Scarborough with Commissioner Debbie Whitlock seconding the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.