2017-11-09 Meeting with Lewis County Seniors Board1
Meeting with Lewis County Seniors Board
November 9, 2017
3:02 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson (by phone), Becky Butler,
Danette York (by phone), Steve Walton, Glenn Carter, and members of the Lewis County Seniors Board,
including Michelle Whitten, Ron Averill, Don Bradshaw, Bob Bozarth, Mona Rae Fish, Zora DeGrandpre,
Jim Henderson, Fred Wilson, John Panesko, Fred Rider, Glenn Carter (3:07 p.m.)
Guests: Various audience members
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Attendees introduced themselves.
Becky Butler discussed the budgets the Lewis County Seniors Board presented.
Commissioner Stamper said the county has pledged $100,000 toward the Nutrition programs. He said
the county is considering a proposal to pledge an additional $135,000 and to lease the buildings for $5
annually for five years.
Becky said the board is considering $5 annual rentals, a $100,000 one-time, up-front pledge at the
beginning of 2018 and funding of up to $135,000 for the remainder of the year, which would be
accessible through verifying documents. She said the BOCC likely would need 60-day notification for
funding. She said ideally, the Seniors Board would give quarterly updates.
Jim Henderson said it sounds like the county is trying to micromanage the Seniors Board.
Becky stressed that the funding is the public’s money and that the county has to be careful.
Fred Rider criticized the county’s efforts as a “dog and pony show.”
Becky said the county is suggesting open communication.
John Panesko said he is pleased with what the BOCC is suggesting.
Don Bradshaw said the county’s proposal seems prudent and reasonable. He cautioned that the
potential for abuse is real.
Michelle Whitten discussed the draft budget Becky worked on. Becky said the budget she worked up
doesn’t include money from the advisory boards.
Commissioner Fund said she spoke to United Way, which said it would be willing to route funding to the
senior centers if donors indicated that’s where they want their donations to go.
Commissioner Stamper stressed the importance of transparency and accountability.
Becky gave a recap of what the county may be proposing.
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Bob Bozarth expressed his gratitude.
Jim Henderson and Fred Rider said they would speak to their board in the evening.
Commissioner Fund made a motion to approve a proposal for an agreement with the Lewis County
Seniors Board, subject to documentation of the appropriate lease and grant agreements, for an upfront,
one-time grant of $100,000 for the Nutrition program for 2018 and to approve an additional amount of
up to $135,000 in 2018, upon appropriate documentation of need and appropriate notice, for support of
the Lewis County Seniors program to benefit the poor and infirm.
Commissioner Jackson seconded the motion.
Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 3:42 p.m.