Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Senior Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council weighs modest contribution to help keep Washington Terrace senior center open
Summary
Faced with county plans to consolidate senior centers, South Ogden staff said Weber Human Services suggested a rough $15,000 city contribution to help keep the Washington Terrace center operating; council asked for clearer usage data, an MOU with reporting and a short‑term cap before committing.
City staff briefed the council on Weber Human Services’ request for proposals after the county signaled it would not increase funding for senior centers and encouraged centers to consolidate. Mr. Dixon told council members the county asked existing centers to submit proposals to continue operations and that Washington Terrace requested local partner contributions to improve its chances of remaining open.
Weber Human Services provided a rough ballpark figure—about $15,000—as an example of what a city contribution might cover next year, but staff and council members repeatedly cautioned the estimate was preliminary. Mr. Dixon said grant funding sources statewide are flat or diminishing and that the county’s direction is driving consolidation: "those grant sources are either diminishing or they're certainly not increasing." Council members asked for precise attendance and program data and recommended any contribution be tied to an interlocal agreement or MOU that would include reporting requirements and a short multi‑year cap or CPI‑tied adjustments.
Council discussed the tradeoffs: some members said $15,000 was affordable but cautioned the city should avoid open‑ended obligations; others worried the county would increasingly shift costs to cities. There was no formal vote. Staff said they will seek better attendance figures, cost breakdowns and a proposed MOU and return with a recommended interlocal agreement for council consideration.
Next steps: staff to obtain usage numbers, refine cost estimates and draft an interlocal agreement or MOU with reporting requirements and proposed term/cap for council review.
