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Cascade County staff report 25% reduction in some aging services federal funding; meals program reallocated local dollars
Summary
County aging services staff told commissioners the state unit on aging reduced a federally awarded payment by about 25%, prompting two small budget appropriations to cover food and Older Americans Act program costs and a possible waiting list for Meals on Wheels clients.
Cascade County aging services staff told the Cascade County commissioners on April 30 that the state unit on aging has cut a final federal payment by about 25%, and the county is reappropriating local funds to cover immediate food and program costs.
The change emerged during discussion of contract 25-35, a Montana DPHHS award (contract 25-221-13008-0) for state fiscal year 2025, and two related budget appropriations. Kim, Cascade County aging services staff, said the state unit on aging reduced its final payment by 25% “until they have a final notice of award,” and that she is moving available local funds to cover food purchases and program operations through the end of the fiscal year.
The county identified two appropriations during the work session: one totaling $23,715 to support home-delivered meals (referenced to contract 25-35) and another of $10,000 reallocated to the Older Americans Act program (referenced to contract 25-305). Kim said the reductions flow from an anticipated 25% federal cut and that Meals on Wheels has exhausted its federal reserves; she said the program is running a waiting list for the first time and estimated current demand at about 3,438 meals per reporting period (staff-provided example).
Kim said the program may need to limit enrollment once the federal allocation for the state is finalized: “We may have to look at creating an artificial top. Yeah. And it's gonna have to come down from where it's at.” She added, “It's not a pretty picture, but it answers the question,” when asked about the county budget adjustments.
Kim said the per-meal food cost currently averages about $5.95 (food only) and that donations provide roughly $125,000 per year for Meals on Wheels, with additional donations for homemaker and transportation services. She told commissioners the program's waiting list is about one to two weeks at the moment and said that the county is watching for final federal award notifications.
Discussion: commissioners asked questions about the magnitude of the cut and program operations; staff emphasized they were reassigning existing local funds to avoid immediate service interruptions. No formal vote or final action on policy limits was recorded in the work session minutes; the items were presented for placement on a future action agenda.
Ending: Commissioners received the budget-appropriation notices and directed staff to continue monitoring federal notices and report back with final award information and options if further service reductions are required.
