COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners tabled action on Tuesday on a November ballot proposal from the Community Action Agency who are seeking .15 of a mill per year for five years that would be used for the Meals on Wheels program.
But the Commission on Aging has raised objections and they feel it should not be placed on the November ballot. C.O.A. Board of Directors President James Webb said they have never asked for an increase to their two existing millages and the millage request for meals could jeopardize the future of their existing services.
He added the administrative and program costs was not clear in the proposal
But others defended the proposal during the public comment period including Michelle Williamson from the C.A.A. who said there has been an increased need for the Meals on Wheels program in Branch County especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commissioners agreed with Chair Ted Gordon to table action until their work session next Tuesday. He felt the Commission on Aging needed to have more input on the proposal and that it was a poor time to move forward with this.
Meanwhile, the proposal from Branch County 911 to increase their monthly surcharge by a maximum of $2.52 per phone device was approved for the November ballot.
The proposed increase would make the total monthly cost at $2.94 per device and would go no longer than six years. It would raise about $2-point-4 million annually for the new 700 and 800 Megahertz radio system for Branch County.
If the county can get approved for grants, the amount of the surcharge would be lowered.
