COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – After almost two months of discussion which highlighted the strained relations between the Commission on Aging and Community Action Agency, a divided Branch County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on Tuesday to deny language on a November ballot proposal from the C.A.A. who were seeking .15 of a mill per year for five years that they said would be used for the Meals on Wheels program in Branch County.
The Commission on Aging Board of Directors asked Commissioners last week to not place the proposal 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.
But several volunteers gave impashioned pleas for the additional funding. Michelle Williams from the C.A.A. says there has been an increased need for the Meals on Wheels program in Branch County especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commission Chair Ted Gordon and fellow Commissioner Tom Mathew had concerns about the amount of money going towards administrative costs and salaries.
The proposed millage would have raised about $232,000 but Gordon figured the cost for administration and salaries would came out to a total of $114,000.
Commissioner Leonard Kolcz said it was a worthwhile program but felt this was not a good time to ask Branch County taxpayers to approve an additional millage.
Commissioners Randall Hazelbaker and Terri Norris voted yes. They felt the issue should be decided by voters in November.
