Board approves first reading of ‘older persons village’ plan, including office of aging services and base funding for senior centers after long debate

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners on June 4 approved first reading of a package to create an “Older Persons Village” framework funded by the county’s new senior millage.

The package would establish a new Office of Aging Services, authorize a director position, and set a framework for how the county will distribute and oversee millage funds intended to expand services for older residents. After extensive debate and multiple amendments, commissioners agreed on language that does the following: - creates the Office of Aging Services to oversee implementation of the older‑persons millage and authorizes county staff and governance structures to manage funding and reporting; - sets a foundational (minimum) annual allocation of $200,000 to each qualified senior center in the county (the board voted to maintain a $200,000 minimum figure for…