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Council on Aging outlines services and braces for possible Skipper sunset; transit capacity and staffing flagged
Summary
The Council on Aging described programs to reduce senior isolation, transportation capacity for older adults and people with disabilities, and staffing shifts; staff said they have limited vehicle and driver capacity and are working with vendor Bridge to optimize routes if demand rises after the Skipper sunsets.
Terry Arnold, who introduced herself as representing the Council on Aging and Senior Services, briefed the committee on FY2027 goals to engage older adults and reduce social isolation. Arnold described a mix of services including transportation for adults 60 and over and people with disabilities, Medicare enrollment assistance, meal delivery coordination and social programming.
When asked whether the department could absorb new transportation demand if the Skipper service sunsets, Arnold said the Council on Aging operates about seven to eight part‑time drivers and four to five working vehicles and will be monitoring demand: “I anticipate some demand, but we have not had — it hasn't stopped yet, right? So I'm anticipating capacity-wise, I think we're going to have to see, honestly.” She said the department is working with a vendor called Bridge to improve routing and efficiency and that the service requires two business days’ notice for rides.
Councilors also discussed the tax workoff program for seniors. Arnold said program participation is about 35 currently and that her 2027 projection should be 40; she noted many candidates narrowly exceed income eligibility. On staffing, Arnold said part of the reported drop of roughly 3.5 full‑time equivalent positions since FY2025 resulted from organizational changes (the Council on Aging moving out from under Parks & Recreation) and the loss of a half‑position previously filled by a program manager.
What happens next: Councilors asked staff to watch transportation demand closely and to consider funding adjustments if required after the Skipper sunsets. Arnold said she will provide additional detail to the council if demand increases and as Bridge optimization work produces data.
