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Decatur council approves $23,000 for Council on Aging to support transportation, senior center and courtyard project
Summary
After a presentation by Council on Aging staff, Decatur’s council approved a $23,000 budget allocation for 2027 to support the senior center and transportation service expansion; presenters said the program has expanded rides, raised about $50,000 toward a $95,000 courtyard goal and is pursuing matching grants.
The Decatur Common Council voted on June 2 to provide $23,000 in the 2027 budget to the Council on Aging to help support its transportation program, senior center operations and an on‑site courtyard project.
Michelle Linder, marketing communications coordinator for the Council on Aging (Senior Center at the Marid Center), told the council the service has grown since opening public service in 2024 and that roughly 60–70 percent of rides are for medical appointments; she said the program now runs 6 a.m.–6 p.m., has 11 drivers and seven vehicles with two additional drivers in process. Linder said drivers’ pay has increased (now $15–$18 per hour) and that recent federal funding awards have increased program obligations; she said the group is pursuing matching grant opportunities and asked the council to increase its annual support from $22,000 to $23,000. “We are currently at half of our goal,” Linder said of the courtyard fundraising, “our overall goal for the courtyard fundraiser … is $95,000 and we are just a little bit under $50,000 right now.”
Council members moved, seconded and voted unanimously to approve the $23,000 request; the money will be included in the city’s 2027 budget process.
Additional details provided at the meeting included the fare schedule (0–9 miles $5; 10–20 miles $10; 21–30 miles $15; out‑of‑county $1 per mile), and that veterans ride free within Adams County. Council and staff praised the senior center partnership and fundraising progress.
