Lee County Council on Aging urges continued levy support as costs rise

The Lee County Council on Aging told the Lee County Finance Committee on the evening of the committee’s regular meeting that it needs continued local support to maintain transportation, meal and outreach services for seniors. Finance Committee Chairman Jim Scheelein presided over the presentation and questions. The council’s representative, Susie Rock, said the agency’s mission is to keep seniors in their homes and communities through services including bus trips, congregate meals, exercise programs and help with benefits applications. “We have weekly exercise programs free of charge for the seniors. We have weekly food pantries for the seniors,” Rock said. Rock gave counts and budget figures: roughly 9,000 bus rides last year; about 20,000 one-hour units of in‑home assistance and social contact; and “just under $600,000” total operating costs for the organization. She said the council runs two to three buses and partners with Reagan Mass Transit; Reagan provides $210,000 and the council supplies a 24 percent matchback. Rock said state Older Americans Act funding and local fundraising supplement those sums. Why it matters: committee members repeatedly asked about alternative revenue as county budgets tighten and state or federal funds face possible cuts. “Have you looked at anything else for alternative revenue?” asked a committee member. Rock and other presenters described ongoing fundraising (for example, the Post House Ballroom rentals and periodic events) but said funders and donations vary year to year. Committee members pressed for details on client counts and staffing. Rock said the council serves several Lee County communities (named in the presentation) and estimated unduplicated riders on the bus program at about 350 to 400 and about 400 for an isolation outreach program. She said the organization has about 15 part‑time staff plus the director and an assistant; most workers are retired and part time. The council’s current budget request to the county is $65,000; the committee chair reminded presenters that no final allocation decisions are made at the presentation stage. The presentation was for committee information; no formal county funding decisions were taken that night. The finance committee approved housekeeping items (minutes) and adjourned at the close of the meeting. The council said it will notify the county of any additional documentation if requested.