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Harvey County approves $15,000 match to support senior center meal programs
Summary
The commission approved matching funds of $15,000—$5,000 each for Newton, Hesston and Sedgwick senior centers—to supplement federal Older Americans Act stipends and support part-time staff for congregate and home-delivered meals; the decision passed 2-1 on Jan. 13, 2026.
The Board of Harvey County Commissioners approved a one-time county match totaling $15,000 to supplement $5,000 stipends from the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA) for each of the county's three senior centers in Newton, Hesston and Sedgwick. Department of Aging Director Lona Kelly said the additional funds will be used to support part-time staff who manage administrative and operational tasks to keep congregate and home-delivered meal programs in compliance with Older Americans Act nutrition requirements.
"The matching funds will be used to support part-time staff at each senior center in the county to manage the administrative and operational details of the congregate and home-delivered meals program in compliance with OAA nutrition requirements," Lona Kelly said. The motion to approve the stipends was made by Commissioner Terry Scott, amended to direct immediate payment of the full stipend amounts, and passed 2-1 (opposed: Commissioner Becky Reimer). Reimer said she prefers community organizations or city governments pursue additional funding rather than adding non-budgeted county expenditures.
Staff said CPAAA will provide $5,000 per agency and the county match will allow the programs to continue through 2026 while the centers pursue longer-term funding options. Commissioners noted the decision was time-sensitive to avoid interruption of meals and related services for seniors.
