More Money, Better Funding Plan Coming For Centers

Putnam County Commissioners will vote later this month on increased funding for local senior center, then the county will get to work on a more systemized approach to budgeting.

Centers in Baxter, Monterey, and Algood have been receiving $15,000 annually, with $40,000 allocated to Cookeville last year. Commissioners grew uncomfortable during the budget process when Cookeville asked for a one-time allocation from last year to become permanent. Baxter asked for its allocation to match Cookeville. Then, late in the budget process, Monterey officials asked for more money.

Baxter Senior Center Director Brent Lee said the center has been running on a shoestring budget.

“We were doing around 200 lunches a month to, now, over 500,” Lee said. “So, the funds that we had allocated for it before are barely enough to pay for what we’re doing now.”

Budget Committee members asked Mayor Randy Porter to create a system designed to track the number of seniors served, and a funding formula from that. Monterey Senior Center Director Brigitte Delk said this feels like a feasible plan.

“I think, like, if they just look into the centers a little bit more and, like, see the attendance and see the activities that are going on, then they can see the need that we have for an increase in money,” Delk said.

Delk said she remembers spending $40 to offer a weekly meal, but the grocery bill has sky-rocketed to some $115 most weeks. She said the center just finished spending a $30,000 grant from the UCDD and needs funding to keep facilities up and running.

Lee said continued funding increases would be a game-changer.

“That would change the center in so many ways,” Lee said. “We’d be able to offer more things to our seniors, offer a better selection of food and everything.”

Lee said the center is also working hard to offer better wages for employees. He said the center has avoided losing too many employees because they love what they do, but wages are below the minimum.

“With the rising cost of food and utilities and everything else, even a small increase helps the center out immensely,” Lee said.

He said the center had been receiving the same $15,000 allocation for quite a few years.

Delk said senior centers are more than just people sitting around playing bingo, they are vital pieces of community that create family and fellowship, and every dollar helps push that mission forward.

Commissioners eventually decided to bump Algood, Baxter, and Monterey up to $25,000, and allocate some $49,000 to Cookeville. The county will vote on its budget later this month.