No vote scheduled to reallocate senior levy funds after Trumbull County Commissioner meeting

Trumbull County Commissioners are debating a key question: should they vote to reallocate senior levy funds?

The commissioners sat down with the senior levy board, who recommends moving $125,000 from senior centers to in-home care.

At the end of the meeting, all three commissioners agreed to keep the funding for the senior centers the same.

“We’re in agreement that we’re not going to cut $125,000 from senior centers. They are going to stay fully funded. And our only wish is, we wish we could do more, but at this time, we can’t do it,” said Tony Bernard, Trumbull County Commissioner.

Senior levy money is split between transportation, senior centers and home health care. The proposal from the board would bring the total for senior centers to $500,000 a year.

Those working at the centers are fighting to keep their yearly operating levy funds at $625,000. 

“It works their mind, it gives them socialization, it gives them a sense of accomplishment. I would beg you to have you in and look at what we’re doing,” said Laura Carey, Girard Multi-Generational Center Administrative Director. 

The commissioners pointed out their concerns. They asked things like how will this affect the 11 senior centers in Trumbull County, and what the taxpayers want to see?

“I do believe that a lot of those monies, and that vote for the additional monies came because of those senior centers,” said Rick Hernandez, Trumbull County Commissioner.

Before moving forward with any decision, Bernard is hoping to find other ways to make up for the shortfall.

“We should go to the state and see if our state legislators can get us more money in here to help us out with the senior citizens. You know, for home care, for transportation and our senior centers,” said Bernard.

Bernard said they can use the $300,000 dollars in leftover funds for in-home care until a decision is made. 

“We can make it work for the next few years. And then after that, there will have to be discussions on where we need to reallocate funding. But for now, it can work within our carryover funds,” said Diane Jurkovic, Senior Levy Administrator.

Jurkovic emphasized the importance of in-home care, especially for seniors who can’t make it to centers.

“We have home delivered meals, we have the homemaker's personal care. It’s important to keep people in their own homes. We all want to stay in our own homes, and under the comforts of our own living styles. To lose your home is very upsetting,” said Jurkovic.

Groups like Buckeye Pace are also working with the levy board to try and help address the shortfall.

It costs about $9,000 per person to provide in-home care. Hundreds are currently on a waiting list.