Senior center leadership told Madison County commissioners that the center is pursuing more on‑site meal preparation, expanding activities and volunteers, and seeking foundation grants to support kitchen renovation and building repairs.

Staff said the center serves roughly 130 active seniors and about 45 home‑delivered meal clients; daily on‑site attendance varies by activity with recent days ranging from about 35 to 54 people. Leadership said they are moving away from prepackaged frozen “TV dinner” meals toward hot, on‑site cooking when kitchen upgrades are possible, which would not change reimbursement formulas but would likely increase participation and satisfaction.

The center reported steady volunteer support and increasing interest in programming; an occupational therapist volunteered to teach chair yoga and the senior center advisory council has helped with fundraising. Staff said they submitted a $36,000 request to the Francis Wood Wilson fund and have applied to the Jackson Electric Foundation to help renovate the kitchen and infrastructure required to cook on site.

Leaders also asked commissioners to note deferred maintenance: ceiling damage, air‑conditioning problems and other building issues that staff and the county maintenance department are patching. They said they would present photos and specific repair requests in follow‑up budget documents. Staff emphasized that seniors have not missed services during staffing absences and thanked county staff for interim support.

No budget vote occurred; staff said they were working with county finance staff on revenue offsets and grant timelines and would return with more documentation.