KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM/FM) — On the night that the Kalamazoo County Commission was asked to approve a budget for the Area Agency on Aging that calls for cuts, a number of individuals and agencies requested the county seek approval for a senior millage.
The cuts in staff will mean fewer services and longer waiting lists for programs like Meals on wheels.
Between dwindling State funding, threatened cuts from the Trump administration and a shift in funding priorities by the local United Way, groups that help older Americans are feeling the pinch, especially with the baby boomers now marching into their 60s.
It was noted that 73 of the 83 counties in Michigan already have a senior millage, and Kalamazoo is the only county in southwest Michigan without one.
Commissioner Michael Quinn requested that the commission start looking at numbers as soon as they can. Administrator Tracy Moored said it may take them until the meeting scheduled for July 17 to bring information and options to the Commission.
The board only has until mid-August to settle on a request if they want to put it on the ballot this November, as requested by the senior service organizations.
