May 2, 2025 Commission on Aging Meeting

The May 2, 2025 meeting of the Washtenaw County Commission on Aging focused primarily on discussions related to the allocation and management of funds from the older person's millage. Key topics included recommendations from the Healthy Aging Collaborative on spending priorities such as caregiver support, senior centers, nutrition programs, transportation, and housing. The commission emphasized the need for clear policies on funding distribution, including the use of RFP processes to allocate millage dollars to senior centers and community programs. Concerns about transparency, conflict of interest in procurement, and the importance of including lived experience on oversight bodies were raised. The board of commissioners is working on an emergency funding resolution to address urgent needs caused by USDA cuts, including replenishing funding for senior crisis intervention and food pantries. The meeting also covered state-level budget advocacy efforts and the impact of inflation and tariffs on program costs. Overall, the commission is actively engaged in shaping millage policy and procurement processes to ensure effective and equitable use of funds for aging services in the county.