No $800,000 for elderly services

PROVO — Memo to the Mountainland Association of Governments: Don't expect an $800,000 check from Utah County.

Contrary to reports circulating the political rumor mill, the county does not have $800,000 budgeted in 2006 to put toward services for the county's elderly.

That money is long gone, Commissioner Steve White said.

According to an editorial by Wasatch County Councilman Neil Anderton in MAG's May newsletter, "Utah County has repeatedly stated that (it has more than) $800,000 available and could be utilized to help serve seniors."

Anderton, chairman of MAG's advisory council on aging, also asks the county to come forward with that money and work to meet seniors' needs with MAG, the designated agency to provide services for elderly residents.

"I'm just inviting them to (contribute that money) and saying, 'Hey, let's work together,'" he said.

That's not going to happen, White said, because "there is no $800,000."

Not anymore, anyway.

The county's 2005 budget included $800,000 to cover costs associated with its petition to take over aging services from MAG, White said. Of that money, $300,000 was budgeted to cover double payroll during a possible transition period, and $500,000 was slated to go toward improving senior services.

The county filed its petition with the state Division of Aging and Adult Services on April 19, 2005, and was turned down two months later. The county's appeal to the federal government was denied in March.

After the petition was denied by the state, the money appropriated for 2005 fell into the general fund balance, White said. The County Commission expected to lose its federal appeal and didn't include those funds for this year, instead putting that money into law enforcement, he said.

"There was nothing funded in 2006 nor will there be in 2007 most likely as the mayors chose for MAG to fund and provide aging services," White said.

On Feb. 8, 2005, White and fellow Commissioner Jerry Grover voted to pull out of MAG, beginning the county's bid to become the designated Area Agency on Aging. The departure cost MAG about $30,000 in annual funding contributed by the county.

The county's aging services plan included extending the Meals on Wheels program from five to seven days a week; expanding senior outreach services; increasing funds and resources to senior citizen centers; and developing better nutritional, educational, legal and medical support for seniors.