Senior Services Advisory Committee:11/25/2024 (Minutes)

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Senior Services Advisory Committee convened on June 11, 2015, to address various issues concerning senior services in the county. The meeting began with the approval of previous minutes and the agenda, followed by public comments from residents like Tim Kehl, who raised concerns about the quality of Meals on Wheels and the voucher system. Kehl highlighted the subpar quality of meals and the challenges with voucher expiration dates, suggesting that unused vouchers should be renewable or convertible to dining vouchers. The committee discussed the potential restructuring of the advisory committee, with Commissioner Wessell proposing an annual review process to evaluate services and gather feedback from seniors. The committee also considered the possibility of forming a senior advisory committee to enhance service delivery and responsiveness to senior needs.

The committee addressed the need for a formal needs assessment to better understand and plan for the growing senior population’s requirements. Senior Services Director April Missias proposed collaborating with the Area Agency on Aging to conduct a comprehensive survey or focus groups, potentially funded by a Rotary Charities Planning Grant. The committee unanimously supported this initiative, recognizing the importance of a thorough assessment to ensure that services meet current and future needs effectively. Additionally, the committee discussed employee classifications and the implications of recent title changes on future staffing and compensation. Missias expressed concerns about attracting qualified candidates at current wage levels, but the committee was hesitant to support reclassification or salary increases, fearing it would set a precedent for other departments.

Further discussions focused on the voucher program, which, despite being a minor part of the budget, generated significant complaints. The committee reviewed the different types of vouchers available and their expiration policies, with some members suggesting the elimination of vouchers to prioritize services with waiting lists. Missias defended the voucher program as a valuable marketing tool to introduce seniors to available services. The meeting also touched on a potential collaboration with Leelanau Christian Neighbors for a food pantry grant from the Grand Traverse Band, emphasizing the need for clear documentation and verification to ensure the funds benefit seniors directly. Public comments from residents like Judy Hoeffler and Eric Lind provided additional insights and suggestions, including the idea of studying best practices from other counties nationwide to enhance local senior services.