Summary
The Leelanau County Senior Services Advisory Committee met to review committee structure, senior needs assessment planning, employee classifications, and voucher programs. The committee voted to recommend that the Board of Commissioners partner with Senior Services and the Area Agency on Aging to pursue a Rotary Charities Planning Grant for a senior needs assessment. Consensus was reached to hold meetings four times a year, with the next meeting set for September 10, 2015, as a work session on Meals on Wheels and voucher policy.
Public Comments
Tim Kehl (Northport) raised concerns on behalf of his 94-year-old mother about poor Meals on Wheels quality, unused snow-plow vouchers she was unable to redeem, and lack of welfare checks on elderly residents during emergencies, citing a storm several years earlier when no one checked on her for four days. Director April Missias responded that meals are prepared by Northwest Community Action Agency under an Area Agency on Aging grant, cost $6.96 per meal, and that Leelanau County is the only county without a Meals on Wheels waiting list due to its financial contribution.
Gery Zemaitis (Leland Township) suggested quarterly meetings with more public advertising, questioned the value of routing funds through outside nonprofits rather than directly to Senior Services, and urged more attention to personal wellness checks on isolated seniors. Judy Hoeffler, LCN grant writer, recommended that any Rotary Charities needs assessment include research on best-practice senior programs nationwide. Eric Lind (Area Agency on Aging Board liaison) asked about waiting lists, noting no list exists for prescription management despite seniors averaging 26 prescriptions. Steve Mikowski questioned how many "truly needy" seniors exist countywide and criticized use of public funds to market services and fund vouchers for wealthier residents, urging that senior care be funded through the General Fund with clearer accountability.
Other Business
Employee Classifications: Director Missias sought guidance on future staffing given October 2014 title changes without pay adjustments. Chairman Bunek and Commissioner Watkoski stated they would not support reclassification or pay increases, citing "Pandora's Box" concerns; Missias clarified she raised the issue for future planning, not current staff demands.
Needs Assessment: Missias plans to meet with Area Agency on Aging Director Bob Schlueter regarding a required four-year assessment and possible collaboration.
Senior Expo: The 24th Annual Senior Expo was scheduled for June 16 at Suttons Bay High School.
Grand Traverse Band 2% Grant: Missias explained a grant application (20% of Leelanau Christian Neighbors' food pantry clients are seniors) to benefit seniors through LCN. Bunek expressed concern about verifying senior beneficiary numbers and protecting the Senior Services program's relationship with the Tribe.
Financial Summary
Voucher costs: Dining vouchers sell for $3.00 (redemptive value $6.00, 12/year); snow-plow vouchers sell for $8.00 (redemptive value $16.00, 10/year); foot care vouchers sell for $10.00 (redemptive value $20.00, 6/year). Meals on Wheels costs approximately $7.00 per meal delivered, with no cost to seniors. Over 7,000 seniors reside in the county. The committee discussed but did not vote on eliminating vouchers to redirect funds to needs-based programs.
Action Items
Missias to research feasibility of a formal senior wellness/check-in program and report back to the committee. Missias to update the committee on the Rotary Charities Grant status and Grand Traverse Band 2% request at the next meeting. Next Senior Services Committee meeting scheduled for September 10, 2015, at 9:30 a.m., focused on Meals on Wheels and voucher policy review.