With questions circulating in the community about the future of 4-H and other local programs, MU Extension officials are warning upcoming budget decisions could dramatically change what programs are available to Ray County residents. Ray County commissioners are in the middle of building their 2026 budget and have said the group is facing pressure from rising costs and mandated spending, including law enforcement, road and bridge and other county operations. MU Extension Regional Director Stacey Steffens attended a recent commission meeting to answer questions about how Extension is funded and what Missouri law requires counties to provide. Commissioners told Steffens the group had received Extension’s budget materials and were still reviewing numbers and working through competing priorities before setting any final funding levels. “We are just looking at some real budget issues this year,” said Presiding Commissioner Shelia Tracy. “If everything you do is five-star, it’s still an…