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Bayfield County aging services warn home‑delivered meals budget strained as demand rises
Summary
Aging and Disability Services staff told the joint ADAC/NAC meeting that home‑delivered meal demand has grown and budget pressures — higher driver wages, meal costs and aging vehicles — may outpace current funding; staff flagged donations, new accounting software and monitoring as short‑term responses.
Brynna Watters‑Moffitt, staff for Bayfield County’s Aging & Disability section, and Carolyn Novack reported at the joint Aging and Disability Services Advisory Committee and Nutrition Advisory Council meeting on Feb. 24 that demand for home‑delivered meals (HDM) is increasing and the program faces budget pressure.
Why it matters: Older residents who rely on HDM could see service strain if costs for drivers, meals and vehicle replacement continue to rise without additional funding or offsets.
Novack said participation is growing, with nine new HDM clients recently added, and warned the HDM budget “may not” be sufficient to meet rising demand because of increased driver wages, higher meal costs and the need to replace aging vehicles. Committee materials and discussion noted a $2,500 shortfall at the Cornucopia meal site covered by local fundraising and suggested evaluating donation policies to help offset expenses.
Committee members heard that staffing has stabilized after hiring part‑time permanent drivers and that new accounting software is expected to improve budget tracking and planning. Watters‑Moffitt framed those steps as provisional measures while staff continue to monitor referrals and costs.
The committee did not take formal budgetary action at the meeting. The ADAC/NAC will revisit program status in future meetings as staff assess whether additional local resources or grant support are required.
