Warren County committee approves aging office plan, two rate increases and volunteer MOU; staff warns of $552,760 federal shortfall risk

Warren County's Health Services Committee approved the Office for the Aging's four‑year plan, authorized two rate increases for in‑home care providers and approved a memorandum of understanding to help recruit volunteers for the home‑delivered meals program, and heard that the office could face a $552,760 shortfall if federal funding is not renewed.

Deana, a staff member who presented the Office for the Aging agenda items, said the four‑year plan — a detailed, multi‑page submission to the New York State Office for the Aging — outlines goals including increasing awareness of senior programs, maintaining outside agency relationships, strengthening caregiver supports, recruiting and retaining volunteers, offering evidence‑based health promotion, promoting disaster preparedness and financial and health‑care planning, and continuing work on transportation for northern Warren and Hamilton counties. "This plan details our goals for the next 4 years and our budget for 2024," Deana said.

The committee approved the plan by voice vote after a motion to bring it to the floor by Supervisor Runyon and a second by Supervisor Bruno. The meeting record does not include a roll‑call tally; the board voted by voice and the chair declared the motion carried.

The committee next approved two separate contract changes that increase hourly rates for a home‑care provider. The committee granted permission to amend the county's in‑home services contract with Greater Adirondack Home Aides to raise the hourly rate from $28 to $30 under the county's ISA contract, described in the presentation as the expanded in‑home services for the elderly program. Supervisor Runyon moved the item and Supervisor Gilligan seconded; the item was approved by voice vote.

A second motion approved the same hourly increase — $28 to $30 — for Greater Adirondack Home Aides under the county's Title III‑E caregiver program. Deana said the increases were requested by the provider during annual contract renewal discussions and that the additional cost is included in the county budget. The committee approved that item by voice vote; the meeting record does not show a numerical tally.

The committee also approved a memorandum of understanding with Warren‑Washington County RSVP and Tri‑County United Way to collaborate on volunteer recruitment for the home‑delivered meals program. Deana said there is no financial obligation for either side under the MOU and that volunteer shortages occur "periodically"; when volunteers are not available, staff typically fill in. She said volunteer outreach is posted on the office's Facebook page and meal sites post flyers, and the office will follow up with local civic clubs if the outgoing volunteer coordinator has not already done so. The MOU was approved by voice vote; the chair said the motion "carries."

In an informational discussion added to the agenda, Deana told the committee that if federal funding for programs administered under the Older Americans Act is reduced or withheld in future federal budgets, Warren County would face an additional funding need of $552,760 to continue those programs at current levels. She explained that many federal programs require a local match and that Title III‑B is shown in the provided materials as 90% federally funded with a 10% local match; the office also "overmatches" for Title III‑C1 and III‑C2 meal programs. "If this comes to fruition ... where are we gonna get that money to continue on with these programs?" a supervisor asked; Deana said she did not know and raised the issue so supervisors could advocate for federal funding.

Mr. Danbok, a staff member who spoke about federal budget timing, said both the Senate and House budget versions currently show no cuts to these programs but that the two chambers still must reconcile their bills. "What happens now is they get into budget reconciliation to try to come up with one bill ... and that probably is expected to take until July," he said, adding that the county's funding streams are expected to be stable until then and the potential impacts would affect next year's budget.

The committee spent most of its time on the Office for the Aging items; there were no other substantive public comments recorded. Deana told supervisors she provided a breakdown showing program types, client counts and meal numbers so members could understand how many people would be affected if funding were reduced. The committee adjourned after the approved actions.

Votes at a glance: approval of the four‑year plan (motion to bring to the floor: Supervisor Runyon; second: Supervisor Bruno; voice vote — approved); amendment to increase hourly rate for Greater Adirondack Home Aides (mover: Supervisor Runyon; second: Supervisor Gilligan; voice vote — approved); hourly-rate increase for Title III‑E caregiver program with Greater Adirondack Home Aides (mover: not specified in transcript; second: not specified; voice vote — approved); memorandum of understanding with Warren‑Washington County RSVP and Tri‑County United Way for volunteer recruitment (mover: not specified; second: Supervisor Bruno referenced in the motion line; voice vote — approved).