Council moves to seed senior services fund, calls for committee to develop plan

The Vermilion City Council approved an ordinance to transfer funds into a new appropriation intended to seed programs and services for senior residents.

A councilmember explained the purpose of the fund as "planting a seed" to start coordinated services for seniors, such as yard care, driveway shoveling and monthly socials that could include hospital or social‑service partners. The proposer said the appropriation is intended to give the administration a small starting balance so future administrations can coordinate with partners and, if appropriate, form a committee to develop programs.

Some councilmembers said they supported the idea but preferred a clearer plan or a committee already formed before reallocating funds. One councilmember said they would prefer to "wait until there's a committee form and we have some kind of game plan idea before we move this money over into that fund." The council nonetheless adopted the ordinance after roll call; the minutes record two negative votes (Worley and Gabriel) and the measure carried.

Councilmembers suggested the administration and residents work together to propose programs and partnerships; no specific dollar amount for the transfer was read into the public record at the time the ordinance was adopted in the meeting.