The Cookeville Senior Center expected to receive the same amount of county funding in the new fiscal year as it received this year.
The center had requested more in this year’s budget. Center Director Maxine Frasier said the new money would have gone a long way in combating rising prices. Frasier said increased costs of office supplies, paper, printer ink, and maintenance are some of the potential concerns.
“We serve lunch two days a week,” Frasier said. “It would be nice to have a little extra money for the groceries because they increase all the time also. And as our numbers go up, that cost goes up.”
Frasier said the requested increase was $10,000. Frasier said the senior center has seen an increase in numbers.
“They’re coming from every state in the union,” Frasier said. “One day, I went around the lunchroom and asked people to state where they were from, and it was like looking at a map of the United States.”
Frasier said more people means a wider variety of needs for the center to cover. She said recently, more blind people have been attending the facility, so more activities using braille were needed to make sure they were included.
Frasier said the senior center building has had many upgrades, including a $30,000 kitchen renovation, but she is concerned where funding may come from if an expensive item needs repairs. Frasier said wear and tear on the center van could be a concern, since it is frequently used for day trips.
Frasier said new money could have gone to more programs, to ensure seniors had access to exercise and other leisure activities. New programs would have been a priority.
“We do not have any music resources in the center,” Frasier said. “We would really like to start some programs, maybe a small band or a singing group. Some of the people have asked for karaoke. Anything people can do. We want to include every single person in activities and make their lives better,”
Frasier said accessibility improvements would have been desired as well, such as smaller wheelchairs and a large information screen. Frasier said the funding received this year will be used to best serve senior center attendees’ needs.
The Putnam County Budget Committee approved funding for every senior center in the county to be exactly the same as last year as a part of the new budget. County Commissioners will consider the budget Monday.
