Williams County aging director warns centers face $140,000 shortfall; residents urge support

Sarah Stubblefield, identified in the meeting record as executive director of the Williams County Department of Aging, told county commissioners on May 7 that the department’s five-year grant application to the Area Office on Aging is complete and that the program’s average cost per meal is $16.48.

Stubblefield said the department’s funding picture has tightened: about 80% of its revenue comes from tax dollars, recent increases in health-insurance and payroll costs have pushed operations into the red, and the centers are currently running an estimated annual shortfall of roughly $140,000. She said the county’s Farmer’s Market voucher program exhausted state funding in eight days and staff retirements are increasing staffing pressure.

“The cost per meal averages $16.48 when you include both home-delivered and congregate meals,” Stubblefield said. She told commissioners she had renegotiated food and copier contracts and that a recently hired fiscal officer, Amber Jones, began this week.

Residents and center staff from Montpelier described the centers as essential social hubs. “For Dan, it’s the highlight of his week,” said Montpelier resident Brenda Bohner, describing how her husband uses the site for meals and card games. Willie Peters, another regular attendee, said he comes most mornings to eat and socialize.

Commissioners and Stubblefield discussed potential responses. Stubblefield noted the department increased the suggested meal donation from $3 to $4; she estimated that, if fully collected, the $1 increase could bring in about $25,000 a year but would not eliminate the current deficit by itself. She also outlined an equipment-and-service plan to replace flip phones with AT&T FirstNet service: 25 lines, devices at $1 each and roughly $23 per line per month — about $600 a month or roughly $7,000 a year.

The board said it may need to put a levy before voters to close the gap and discussed timing and outreach. Commissioners agreed to steps to increase public visibility, including scheduling “Coffee with the Commissioners” and at least one lunch visit to Montpelier so residents could hear the department’s case in person.

The meeting record shows no formal vote on program reductions or center closures. Commissioners emphasized they do not intend to close centers but said, without additional revenue, the county will confront hard choices if reserves are exhausted.

Next steps identified at the meeting include continuing outreach to senior-center users, scheduling site visits for commissioners, and further analysis of staffing and program options. Stubblefield asked the board to consider broader community messaging to explain how centers operate and why additional funding may be needed.