Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Senior Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board of Health backs senior nutrition program changes, including staffing and vehicle requests
Summary
The board accepted recommendations for senior nutrition programs that include converting several part‑time/temporary homebound delivery driver posts to permanent senior program aide positions, and approved capital requests for two aging vehicles; presenters stressed rising meal demand and volunteer shortages.
The Mohave County Board of Health on Jan. 26 accepted recommendations to support the county’s senior nutrition centers, including staffing status changes and capital vehicle requests that staff said are necessary to meet growing demand.
Brenda Labue, nutrition and health promotion manager, told the board the county’s congregate and home‑delivered meal program serves approximately 74,321 meals per year (about 6,210 per month) and that projections for FY25–26 anticipate growth to roughly 105,812 meals annually. “So there are approximately 74,321 meals served per year,” Labue said, and she described home‑delivered meals as roughly double congregate meals in volume.
Labue described program benefits — reduced malnutrition, delayed institutional care and lower health‑care utilization — and outlined funding sources that include Mohave County, nonprofit partners (WACOG and local nonprofits), donations and program grants. She said volunteers and staff are the program’s most important resources but cited challenges such as inconsistent volunteer availability and turnover, and requested converting several part‑time/temporary homebound delivery driver positions to permanent senior program aide roles pending Board of Supervisors approval.
Board members asked about per‑meal costs and recent donations; Labue said the operating cost is about $10.75 per congregate meal and $14.25 per home‑delivered meal, and noted Lake Havasu’s senior center had raised about $80,000 in donations following building improvements. The board also discussed how Golden Shores’ center is owned by a community association with the county as tenant.
After discussion the board moved and approved the recommendations, including staffing status changes and two vehicle capital requests that the department said are needed because vehicles are aging out. The approvals were framed as support for the budget initiatives and as recommendations to the Board of Supervisors where required.
What’s next: staff will pursue Board of Supervisors approval for personnel-status changes and capital purchases as indicated in the recommendations.
