Office for Aging outlines dining‑ticket changes, seeks new dietitian contract and sets March for Meals date

The Washington County Office for Aging reported operational changes to its restaurant dining program, sought authority to procure registered dietitian services, and set a date for the county’s March for Meals events.

On the restaurant dining program the director said the committee will continue the suggested $4 contribution per ticket, limit tickets to 10 per person per month and require tickets be used within the calendar year (no rollover). The director reported 2024 program expenses of $7,600, program income of $3,500 and a county subsidy of $4,100. As of mid‑January the office had distributed 216 tickets and collected $664 in suggested contributions; the director said the collected dollars average to roughly a $3 per ticket contribution so far in January. Committee members noted concerns about maintaining service if funds run out and asked staff to return if spending approaches budget limits.

The office reported an unexpected termination of a contracted registered dietitian and asked authorization to issue a request for proposals for continuing dietitian services. The RFP would propose a contract at $29,000 per year for approximately 16 hours per week at $35 per hour; the director said the dietitian work is reimbursable at about 90 percent through state and federal funding, leaving a local 10 percent share. Services described include monthly kitchen monitoring, menu certification, nutrition education at congregate sites, individual counseling for people age 60+, technical training and food‑safety assessments. The committee authorized pursuing an RFP.

The committee approved a March for Meals date of Friday, March 14, and the office confirmed it will host lifeguard training and other seasonal programs in February school‑break weeks.

The meeting recorded motions and approvals but did not transcribe individual roll‑call names for some votes; approvals were recorded in the minutes as passed.