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Commission hears that senior centers face higher insurance and operating costs; staff asked to log usage
Summary
Representatives from multiple senior centers said insurance premiums and utility costs have risen, leaving limited reserves and prompting discussions about consolidating or closing underused locations unless usage increases or funding is found.
Representatives for Neosho County senior centers told commissioners the centers are operating on thin reserves after a 10% across-the-board county budget reduction and sharply higher insurance quotes.
At the June 17 session a senior-center representative, Gail, described a recent insurance procurement: “1 of them was $10,000 for a year. But we ended up with this 5,700,” and said the higher bids and rising utilities mean centers are spending more to maintain buildings, including new HVAC and painting work. Gail added that Saint Paul’s center “their electric won't even pass the inspection and their roof is bad,” and estimated about $4,000 would be needed for electrical work there.
Gail warned of possible closures if the budget cuts continue: “If it's cut much more, I'm afraid we're looking at either closing 1 or closing them all. And that's gonna be up to the county board.” Commissioners and staff asked centers to begin keeping daily sign-in logs so the county can quantify usage. Commissioners also discussed rental income: one center rents on Saturdays, bringing in $100 per month.
Discussion vs. decision: Commissioners did not approve additional funding at the session. Instead staff directed senior centers to keep daily attendance logs and provide clearer repair and cost estimates for buildings so the commission can weigh funding options in future budget deliberations.
