County judge proposes taking over Senior Citizens Center; commissioners add figures to the budget

The County Judge reported that the Senior Citizens Center’s funding is decreasing and said the center asked for help; the Judge told the commission that, under the figures provided, the center’s net would be around $21,000 when the county assumes operations and proposed the county take over management effective Oct. 1. He said several cities contribute small amounts and various donations help cover meals but noted overall funding pressures.

"This year they came for said that they're pretty much almost demand do it...I took over as County Judge six years ago," he said while describing recent budget reviews and a proposed county contribution. The Judge outlined local contributions (cities giving $3,600 in at least two cases) and said the county currently provides $90,000 a year. He asked that the figures be entered into the county budget; a motion was made, seconded and approved.

Commissioners also heard a staff report that Old Fort (park/project) revenue improved, converting a prior deficit to a roughly $36,000 positive figure over the past year. Separately, during the budget workshop commissioners discussed the proposed tax rate reported in local media and agreed to continue deliberations. The commission approved several budget transfers, including moving funds to cover an open position at the County Communication Center (an amount referenced around $340) and reallocating $10,000 to extra labor for that department for the remainder of the year; motions were moved, seconded and passed by voice.

What happens next: the commission instructed staff to include the senior center figures in the budget documents and continue the budget workshop; no contract or formal takeover schedule beyond the Judge’s proposed Oct. 1 start date was recorded in the transcript.