Contact: Albert Alfaro, Legislative Aide
414/278-5084 or albert.alfaro@milwaukeecountywi.gov
MILWAUKEE – Today the Milwaukee County Board unanimously adopted (18-0) an amendment by Supervisors Steve F. Taylor, Marina Dimitrijevic, and six other Supervisors that will restore $200,000 to be used for senior center operations across Milwaukee County.
“I support Milwaukee County tightening its belt, but not at the expense of our seniors. Restoring funding that the County Executive proposed to cut from the Department on Aging’s budget allows us to look at the feasibility of providing crucial services in more efficient manners, either by working with other potential partners or considering an in-house alternative,” said Supervisor Taylor who currently serves as a member on the County’s Commission on Aging.
“Thank you to the many constituents who contacted my office and attended my town hall meeting requesting that the Board restore the $200,000 cut to senior centers proposed by County Executive Abele in his proposed budget. You spoke and the Supervisors listened. Our amendment also requires that the senior centers remain open every week of the year. Our older adults have made invaluable contributions to our community and we should prioritize making Milwaukee County a great place to grow older for all,” said Supervisor Dimitrijevic who previously served on the Commission on Aging for eight years.
The amendment calls for the Department on Aging to provide the County Board with a report on the possibility and cost of providing senior center programming with county employees or another contractor other than Interfaith. Furthermore, any plan or contract for senior center programming must require that senior centers are open five days a week, 52 weeks a year.
Supervisors Taylor and Dimitrijevic introduced this amendment in the face of the County Executive’s initial recommended budget which called for $200,000 worth of cuts to the Department on Aging and its senior centers.
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Brian Rothgery
Public Information Manager
Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
414-278-4230 (office)
608-219-2064 (mobile)
@MKEcountyboard
Milwaukee County Courthouse
901 N 9th St Rm. 201-K
Milwaukee, WI 53233
