COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Community Action Agency is seeking a small millage to help fund a senior meals program.
Representatives made a presentation to the Branch County Board of Commissioners during their work session last Thursday.
Chuck Asher from the C.A.A. said this program has been available for over 25 years. He said in June of 2019, a wait list for home delivered meals was begun and by this past March they had 67 clients on the list. The number then grew to 181 clients in May. Most of the clients live alone.
Asher explained they have tried to trim expenses so funds could go to the program.
The CAA currently gets about $195,000 in grants. They are seeking to get a millage of two-tenths of a mill on the November ballot which would raise about $297,000.
While commissioners felt it was a worthwhile program there were concerns about the timing of the request with the large amount of people unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a question was brought up about how much taxpayers were already paying for current millages, Administrator Bud Norman is expected to present Commissioners with further information including a legal opinion and a cost analysis for millage amounts less than two-tenths of a mill.
