Stephens County takes action on funding aging service program

Stephens County passed an item to transfer the balance of $12,000 from the city of Breckenridge to Stephens Memorial Hospital to assist in funding the aging service program.

The decision came during a specially scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 30 at the Stephens County Courthouse.

“What we can do today is pass a motion to fund the balance of our commitment, which is $12,000 for this fiscal year,” Stephens County Judge Michael Roach said. “We can take up the details once the interlocal agreement is passed by the hospital and we can pass something later on for future years.”

Stephens County will meet with the city of Breckenridge’s task force about equaling out the commitment to funding the aging service program when the two go through the budgetary process.

SMH will decide on proposals for the aging service program and the decision will be chosen by the board of directors for approval at the next hospital district board meeting.

“What we are looking at is to move aging service and the meals program to the hospital,” Chris Curtis, Stephens Memorial Hospitals Director of Business Development said. “We have space and it saves the city quite a chunk and we were in the process of remodeling the dining room, so it’s good timing.”

One proposal will also include hiring a part-time person to facilitate activities and deliver meals on certain days when the hospital doesn’t have enough volunteers.

The aging services program provide meals to about 225 senior citizens for five days a week and Stephens County, the city of Breckenridge, and Stephens Memorial Hospital will work together to assist with funding the aging service program.