Committee approves revised senior programs board rules, refers senior millage ballot language to Committee of the Whole

Health Officer/Director Jim Henry and Senior Programs Director Andrea Pomerantz presented proposed revisions to the Senior Programs Advisory Board Guidelines at the Feb. 20 Policies and Procedures Committee meeting, saying the board has had difficulty achieving a quorum. The committee recommended and approved revisions that clarify how board members are appointed by county commissioners, clarify application of Robert’s Rules of Order, and separate language on quorum requirements and meeting notice/format.

Commissioner Gary Howell moved, and Commissioner Ian Kempf supported, a motion to approve the updated Senior Programs Advisory Board Procedural Guidelines with the committee’s recommended revisions; the motion carried unanimously.

Pomerantz also briefed the committee on draft Senior Millage ballot language. She said the filing deadline to the county clerk is May 12, 2026, to appear on the Aug. 4, 2026, primary ballot and that she is contacting local downtown development authority (DDA) and tax increment finance authority (TIFA) districts to identify which districts would be included in the millage language. The committee agreed to refer the draft language to the Committee of the Whole meeting on April 9 for further review; Commissioner Ian Kempf moved to refer and Commissioner Gary Howell supported the motion, which carried unanimously. Pomerantz noted the draft will require review by corporate counsel before finalization.

Pomerantz also updated the committee on congregate and home-delivered meal statistics and reported a pilot voucher meal program in North Branch with a local restaurant has been successful; she said she would like to expand voucher options in parts of the county that are not close to senior sites.