Commission approves two intermittent senior-center positions funded by donations

The Saline County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 2 to add two intermittent office specialist positions at the county senior center, to be funded from donor accounts and Meals on Wheels contributions.

Rosie Walter, senior services director, told the board the senior center had lost much of its SIR (Senior Community Service Employment) help since July 2025 and currently operates with fewer SIR workers and reduced hours. "We have not had any SIR help since July 2025," Walter said, adding the program's hours were cut from approximately 25 to 11 per worker earlier in the year.

Walter described donation totals and cost estimates: she said the senior service donation balance is about $90,000 and monthly donations average $10,754. In open session Walter initially said "the cost of these 2 new positions ... is 3,010," and later provided an annual estimate using the county's 2026 pay scale of $16,664 per position (about $18,058 with taxes) for a two-position annual total of $36,116.

Commissioners discussed recruitment challenges, whether to hire one full-time employee (with benefits) versus two part-time intermittent roles (no benefits), and agreed the donation-funded, two-position approach was a reasonable pilot. A motion to approve RFA 2025-171 for two intermittent positions was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.

The positions are limited to no more than 999 hours per year each and are not eligible for benefits; continuation depends on ongoing donor support, and staff said if donations fall short the positions could be vacated. Walter said she would continue to seek other funding and consider a full-time posting during next year's budget process.

The board recorded no further implementation timeline in open session.