County aging office gains staff and a rural transportation grant; seniors to see expanded services

Kimberly, an Office for the Aging representative, told the Human Services Committee that the office had seen increased demand for insurance counseling and other services and sought approval to fill and create several positions and a lease for a luncheon site. "If you look at the same month last year, we served about a 145 people, and this time, we have, 333," Kimberly said about health insurance counseling. She also reported the senior picnic served 462 attendees. The committee approved a lease to move the Bolivar luncheon site from the Bolivar Fire Department to the Richburg Fireman's Clubhouse; Julia moved the motion and Barnes seconded. The committee also approved hiring and filling several positions: a deputy director position that had been created about a year ago; an existing aging services technician role supported in part by a rural transportation grant; two site manager positions and two substitutes for luncheon sites; five driver positions (plus additional substitute driver positions); three grounds worker positions converting part-time labor roles to full time; and a full-time typist for the front desk. Kimberly said the transportation expansion is "contingent on the grant funding" and that the grant "will sunset in, June 2027. And at that point, if we're not able to secure additional funding, then this position will be eliminated." Committee member Healy noted the deputy request is mostly funded by outside money: "this request to fill the position ... is 85% state, 10 other than and 5% county," and said most of the hires are covered by non-local funds. Committee members asked staff to ensure the minutes record the grant sunset dates and the budget codes for each hire. Several motions to create or fill positions were approved; one vote on a drivers-related motion recorded an opposing vote by "Mister Barnes." The committee discussed volunteer versus paid drivers and the office's plan to continue recruiting volunteers while expanding paid routes for areas unsuitable for volunteers.