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Community Hub director warns seniors nutrition program remains structurally in deficit
Summary
Jonathan Zamora, Community Hub leader, told Peekskill council the consolidated seniors nutrition, parks and recreation budget continues to run a multi‑hundred‑thousand dollar deficit and outlined steps—grants, new revenue streams and program consolidation—staff plan to take to narrow the gap.
Jonathan Zamora, the Community Hub leader responsible for the city's seniors nutrition, parks and recreation and youth bureau programs, presented the departments' 2025 budget and told council the combined program continues to operate with a significant structural deficit. Zamora said the department budgeted $753,595 in expenses against $277,000 in state and federal revenue and described the hub's three-phase approach of planning, implementation and expansion to improve services and financial sustainability.
Zamora cited specific program accomplishments and revenue strategies. "We have the projected delivery of over 20,000 pounds of additional fresh produce and food items in 2024," he said, and described new revenue ideas including facility rentals, catering, concessions at Peekskill Stadium, sponsorships and ecotourism tied to Fleischmann's Pier. He also noted personnel changes intended to reduce costs: one full‑time position was consolidated into two part‑time positions to save on fringe benefits.
Councilors pressed for detail on the deficit and bridging strategies. Zamora said the $277,000 revenue figure has been largely flat for about a decade and that personnel costs are not always covered by food‑based grants; he pointed to the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) as an example of a grant that can allow the department to allocate roughly 15% of its awarded funds toward personnel. The city manager and Zamora agreed to provide year‑to‑date actuals and a clearer schedule for reimbursable lines and overtime reimbursements.
Looking ahead, Zamora identified 2025 capital requests for the senior center: a sliding glass door in the dining room, main‑level kitchen improvements, rear patio upgrades, a replacement meal‑delivery vehicle and a 40‑passenger bus for shared Community Hub use. He said staff will continue pursuing grants and community partnerships to offset operating shortfalls; council asked for a follow‑up financial briefing to identify precise steps for closing the gap.
