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 qualifying centers); and - establishes an Older Persons Millage Review Committee with technical membership (commissioners, county staff and representatives including at least three members aged 60 or older) to provide oversight and review awards.

Commissioners and members of the public debated several detailed issues during the working session. Key points raised by the board and the public included: - How a “qualified senior center” should be defined: some commissioners wanted strict county oversight and a narrow definition tied to municipal designation; others wanted a broader approach that includes centers run by nonprofits or non‑municipal entities that serve seniors countywide. - Whether the county should require recipient organizations to display county signage and acknowledge the source of funds. Some commissioners worried such requirements would deter well‑established nonprofit partners; others said transparency about public support is important for taxpayers. - How the county would treat existing county‑run services, and whether millage dollars could be used to replace expiring state or federal funding. Commissioners asked administration for details on how county operations (for example, nutrition or community action programs) would be handled before final adoption.

Several amendments were proposed and voted on during the session; among the outcomes commissioners adopted on first reading: - language clarifying that the oversight committee must include at least three members age 60 or older; and - language requiring recipient organizations display the county logo and acknowledge public funding in public materials, subject to administrative guidance.

Commissioner Caroline Somerville, who led portions of the drafting effort, said the work was intended to give a baseline for senior centers while preserving a competitive programmatic grant process for targeted services, and she urged quick action so communities can get funding into service delivery this year. “I think we made a lot of progress today,” she said.

Next steps: the measure was approved for first reading and will return to the board for final reading and adoption; administration will be asked to clarify how county operations (for example, nutrition or community action programs), community‑based providers and any required signage or reporting will be operationalized and administered.

Ending: Commissioners split on several policy choices, but the first reading passed and the board directed staff to provide the additional fiscal and operational details commissioners requested ahead of a final vote.