Stacia Timmer, CEO of Elderbridge, presented the agency’s annual report to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors by Zoom and asked the county for increased funding to sustain services for older residents.

"Our mission, of course, is to advocate and support older adults, their caregivers, and adults with disabilities," Timmer said, describing Elderbridge’s services across 29 counties. She told the board Elderbridge provided roughly $147,000 in services to Humboldt County in fiscal 2025 and delivered almost 6,927 meals in the county that year. Timmer said Elderbridge has seen a funding decline from pre-pandemic levels and that state and federal cuts have reduced available resources.

Timmer requested $3.30 per older adult in the county, based on the current 60-plus population figure the agency uses (2,806 residents), an increase of $230 from the prior county allocation to a total request of $9,260 for FY27. She said county contributions help Elderbridge match federal funds, leveraging local dollars into greater overall support.

Board members asked about program eligibility and waiting lists: Timmer said services are primarily for people 60 and older (with certain services for adults with disabilities) and that waiting lists vary by site — often five to 15 people — but the agency will not keep individuals on a wait list longer than six months before re-evaluating needs and capacity.

Timmer warned a growing demand for services and cautioned that without additional funding some services have already implemented waiting lists. She emphasized that county funding is intended to sustain existing programming and help Elderbridge draw down federal matches rather than to expand services beyond capacity.

Next steps: The board will consider the funding request during its budget and allocation discussions; staff and Elderbridge will remain in contact to provide site-specific waiting-list details and to coordinate support if additional local funds are approved.