The Audit & Control Committee approved a resolution authorizing the county to accept a New York State supplemental “unmet needs” grant totaling $651,045 for 2025–26 to support the Office for Aging’s services.

Steve Dando, grant coordinator for the Office for Aging Services, told the committee the funds will prevent planned wait lists for home-delivered meals, help maintain congregate sites and may cover heat-program shortfalls, furnace repairs, home modifications and other unmet needs. Dando also said discussions are underway about expanding transportation options for elderly clients — potentially purchasing one or two vans and contracting screened drivers or using a vetted ride-share model. He specifically referenced an approach similar to GoGo Grandparents and said an initial $25,000 of increased state funding could seed a transportation pilot.

A legislator raised concerns about starting services that depend on supplemental funds that may be temporary. “If it turns out to be one time or short term…we have these extra monies which we then initiate services we are not currently doing, then those services are going to get into our base level of service,” the legislator said, urging caution about adding recurring services without a steady funding stream. Dando responded that the Office for Aging has contingency plans and that the primary new service under consideration is transportation, where start-up costs would be the largest component and operational costs could be planned in future budgets if necessary.

Why it matters: the grant would allow the county to maintain or expand services to older residents who rely on home-delivered meals, transportation and home repair assistance; the committee requested an implementation plan and cautioned about ongoing budget implications if the state funding does not continue.

Ending: The resolution passed by voice vote. County staff said they will prepare an implementation plan, including budget projections, and present details on the proposed transportation pilot and other uses for the supplemental allocation.