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Residents urge continued funding for senior center and TNR services as budget discussion begins
Summary
Speakers at the public-comment portion urged sustained city funding for the Tri-County Community Senior Center and for trap-neuter-return animal-control services; senior-center staff described 900 monthly lunches and sheltering duties, while animal-rescue volunteers asked for restored TNR funding and $300/month extra for feeding.
Several residents used the public-comment period on June 2 to press the Board for continued municipal support for community services.
Val Droge, who works at the Tri-County Community Senior Center, described the center as a "bustling, dynamic and indispensable lifeline" that serves multiple generations, provides about 900 lunches per month and acts as a refuge in flood emergencies. Droge urged the Board to maintain full municipal funding to protect the center’s capacity to serve seniors, families and first responders.
Gina Breeding, who runs local trap-neuter-return operations, told aldermen TNR activity is down this year compared with last and that rising vet and intake costs have squeezed the program. She asked the city to restore the previous contract funding plus $300 per month (a total she described as $1,800/month including feeding), noting that county shelters and fees have increased and that current resources will not cover expected kitten-season needs.
Board members asked clarifying questions about funding amounts and program logistics. The budget workshop set for June 8 will include line-item review that could address these and other operating needs.
