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Belgrade senior center board weighs membership, meal and rental changes to offset city support
Summary
Advisory board and staff reviewed the senior center’s finances and proposed steps — including a two-tier membership, small meal price increases, event fundraising and trimmed mailing — to reduce reliance on city wages and discretionary Area 4 funds.
The Belgrade Senior Center advisory board met Jan. 13 and discussed a package of internal steps to raise revenue and reduce reliance on city support, including a proposed two-tier membership, modest changes to meal suggestions, higher facility rental rates and targeted fundraising events.
Board and staff members focused on measures the center can implement without new external grants. Senior Center manager (title used in transcript) told the board the center currently charges $20 per year for membership, receives roughly $90,000 from Area 4 for meals and related services, and recently received roughly $20,000 in an annuity plus several other year-end gifts that together she estimated “probably came close to $60,000” in additional donations.
The nut graf: the board is seeking ways to cover wages and operating costs the city now pays so the center can remain sustainable if discretionary federal or pandemic-era funds shrink. Staff described federal/discretionary funding risks and said Area 4 reimbursements could be affected if federal discretionary spending is reduced.
Most discussion centered on three revenue strands. First, membership: board members and volunteers suggested raising the baseline annual membership from $20 to $30, and offering a two-tier option (for example, a lower tier for social-only members and a higher tier — discussed in the meeting at roughly $50–$60 a year in concept — for people who use fitness and multiple programs). Second, meals: the center currently asks a suggested, anonymous donation for people 60 and older (the transcript records $7 as the recent suggested donation). Some members opposed raising the donation for older diners; others suggested small increases (for example raising the suggested amount by $1–$2 or charging a fixed higher price for diners under 60). Staff noted meals for people under 60 could be set at a higher set price (discussion referenced $10 as an example).
Third, facility rentals and events: the board recently increased the rental minimum to $100 for up to two hours and $50 per hour thereafter; members discussed promoting rentals through city channels and using outside events to raise money. Fundraising event ideas discussed included a bingo night (potentially partnering with the American Legion) with a silent auction, a spring fundraising festival with food trucks or a beer garden, and an “Adopt a Senior” monthly donor push to be promoted in the newsletter and possibly on utility bills.
Staff also flagged two operational areas that affect revenue and reporting. The manager reported that Area 4 guidance currently does not allow reimbursement counts for frozen meals, even though frozen meals are prepared and distributed; staff said they will continue to track frozen-meal distribution internally while seeking clarifications from the region. The manager said the city currently covers wages for three key positions and that those positions are considered secure by city leadership.
Board members and staff discussed options to cut mailing costs by encouraging newsletter recipients to switch from mailed copies to email or center pickup; staff estimated the center mails about 300 newsletters at roughly $1 each in postage, producing an annual postage bill in the mid-thousands. Other ideas to reduce expense included flexible scheduling for hourly kitchen staff during special events and hosting potluck-style or low‑overhead events that do not require paying kitchen staff while respecting food‑safety licensing.
The meeting produced no formal policy changes; the board agreed to pursue several items administratively, including drafting an Adopt‑a‑Senior donation pitch, checking availability for a bingo fundraiser, drafting two‑tier membership options and trimming the mailing list. The manager said she will prepare budget details for the next meeting and will report back.
Votes at a glance: The advisory board approved the consent agenda minutes from the October meeting (motion, second, recorded as approved by voice vote). The board later voted to adjourn (motion, second, approved by voice vote).
Ending: Board members will continue planning the specific membership tiers, fee levels and fundraising events and will revisit proposed changes at upcoming meetings; the manager said she will circulate the center’s budget details by email to the advisory members before the next meeting.
