Carl Junction approves short-term MOU to keep senior center meals running

The Carl Junction Board of Aldermen on a voice-and-electronic vote approved an ordinance adopting a memorandum of understanding with Area Agency on Aging Region 10 to provide temporary repayment assistance so the city's senior nutrition program can continue while federal reimbursements are delayed.

Jennifer Shotwell, who identified herself as representing the local senior center and the area agency on aging, told the council that a recent federal funding lapse has stalled reimbursements and left invoices unpaid for months. “We are now coming close to November, and that will be four months that I’m waiting for my invoices to get paid,” Shotwell said, describing the program’s reliance on reimbursement under the Older Americans Act.

Shotwell said the senior center served roughly 9,600 congregate and 9,600 home-delivered meals in the local service area last year and that the program reaches about 35% of eligible residents aged 60 and older in Carl Junction. She testified that local donations have helped sustain services to date but that staff wages and food costs will soon exceed available reserves. “We’re thinking that we’re going to be good through about December 8,” she said.

The clerk read the ordinance title in successive readings. The first reading’s title referenced a temporary repayment plan “in an amount not to exceed 2,000” (as read aloud at first reading). At second reading the clerk read a version specifying “in an amount not to exceed $2,750 per week” and authorizing the city administrator or mayor to execute the MOU; the council then voted to place the ordinance on final passage and adopt it. Alderman David Pyle moved and Alderman Roger Spencer seconded the motions. The clerk reported the final tally as six in the affirmative with two absent; the ordinance was assigned number 2540.

Council members who spoke expressed support for keeping the nutrition program operating. Alderman David Pyle said the senior center is a busy community resource and urged the council to do what it can to support older residents. No council member proposed amendments to the MOU during the meeting.

The ordinance authorizes short-term city assistance while the Area Agency on Aging awaits reimbursement from the state and federal sources; Shotwell said the state Department of Health and Senior Services had indicated it could be at least eight weeks before funding flowing through the state could repay invoices. The ordinance text and the clerk’s second-reading title reference the Area Agency on Aging Region 10 and the Older Americans Act as the program’s governing reimbursement framework.

Next steps: the ordinance was approved on final passage during the same meeting and will be executed by the city administrator or the mayor under the terms read into the record. Shotwell asked the council to advise if additional assistance is needed or if staff can provide further information to the city.