Commissioners authorize senior center contract contingent on center board approval

The Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 23 voted to authorize a contract between the county and the Hillsdale County Senior Center, doing business as Perennial Park, contingent on the senior center board's approval at a Jan. 27 meeting.

The resolution authorizes Chair Mark Wiley and Clerk Nate Dane to sign the agreement covering a six-year term with automatic renewal provisions unless one party provides 60 days' notice. County counsel reviewed the draft and recommended adding language addressing taxes, benefits and expenses; the county attorney's changes were accepted and the center's attorney indicated the changes were not necessary but did not request removal.

During discussion one commissioner said they were uncomfortable with an automatic six-year renewal and expressed concern the arrangement could limit future boards' ability to allocate senior millage funds for alternative programming. After a roll-call vote the resolution passed with a 4-1 tally.

Why it matters The contract will formalize the county's relationship with the senior center and commit a stream of funds tied to millage language discussed earlier in county actions. The six-year term with an auto-renew clause triggered debate about obligations for future boards and the flexibility of millage-dedicated funds.

What's next The county will execute the contract if the senior center board approves the agreement on Jan. 27; staff will return the signed document to the county for the official record.