Aging Board minutes 051006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Passmore informed the Board that MAP Steering Committee Co-Chair Pat Spriggs gave a status report to the Commissioners at their May 4 meeting. The BOCC endorsed the direction that the planning process was taking. They were particularly interested in the issue of property tax relief for seniors. They directed staff to investigate the four NC counties that are already doing something with this issue and compile a report. They expressed interest in having seniors involved in this research. The BOCC was also very interested in the changes taking place at UNC Hospitals as a result of funding cutbacks. County Manager John Link had suggested that Florence Soltys be invited to address the Board at a future meeting on this subject. Jerry Passmore announced that the Southern Orange Senior Center is still slated for December completion. The next issue to be resolved are the staffing for the new centers for night and weekend operations and the furnishing. He stated that he hoped to have a meeting with the County Manager next month on these subjects. He also stated that the Central Orange Design Committee will meet next Tuesday. Bids should be issued next Fall, with completion likely planned for Spring, 2007. The Chair referenced the presentation that a 55+ community made at the March Aging Board meeting. Representatives from that group have contacted him and others about the Town of Hillsborough’s current moratorium on new proposals. The consensus was that this was not an issue for this body Jerry Kruter agreed to be nominated for a second term on the Aging Board. Mildred Council and Mariah Mc Pherson are completing their second terms and are not eligible for reappointment. Ms. McPherson suggested that retiring Orange County School Board member Delores Simpson might be a good candidate for consideration. Jerry Passmore summarized the Department on Aging’s budget proposal currently being reviewed by the Manager. The proposal does not include any of the requests for the new centers’ staffing or furnishings. It does include funds for the Senior Times. The recommendation from Mr. Link was to research other options for producing this publication. Fred Schroeder commented that the cost did not sound outlandish for 25,000 copies of the paper printed every other month and 5,000 copies mailed directly to seniors’ homes. He offered a motion that the Aging Board endorse continued support by Orange County of the Senior Times, either as an independent newspaper or part of a larger publication. Jerry Kruter provided a second. Motion carried. Mr. Passmore reported that the County Manager supported the increase to full-time of the part-time Eldercare social worker and temporary personnel for bookkeeping help. He cited that counseling has increased 46% and 1,400 home visits had been made in the last fiscal year. A question was raised about implementing a sliding fee for counseling service or billing Medicare for the service. The consensus was that privatizing a component of the counseling service should be further investigated. 2 of 3