Council on Aging asks county to fund new Independence senior center, requests 0.375 mill levy

Council on Aging representatives told the Montgomery County Board of County Commissioners they have a privately owned building in Independence that the owner will provide rent‑free as a senior center, and asked the county to fund the new unit at the same annual level the county provides Coffeyville. "My official title is secretary treasurer of the council advisory board, gentlemen," said Mary Fitzpatrick, the council representative, describing the proposed arrangement and paperwork the council will prepare with an attorney.

Council members said the funds would be used for utilities and supplies and that no county money would be distributed to the Independence center until the building is completed and a local board established. The council proposed a mill levy of 0.375 for county funding, which they noted remains under the 0.50 mill cap previously authorized for the council on aging. Commissioners pressed for specifics on board membership, the length of any lease or agreement and the timeline for completion; the council said the owner intends the arrangement to continue beyond a temporary term and that the council will document taxes, insurance and utility responsibilities in a formal agreement.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to permit the Council on Aging to add an Independence unit, conditioned on final documentation from the group's attorney. The motion was seconded and carried on voice vote; commissioners present voted yes. The council said it will provide a written budget and requested figures when available.