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By KARLA POMEROY
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With rising cost, sales tax is stable funding for Worland, Ten Sleep senior centers

 

April 21, 2022

The Worland and Ten Sleep senior centers each receive 5% of the current 1-cent general purpose tax in Washakie County. They are hoping to continue to receive distribution from the penny tax if it is approved by voters in November.

TEN SLEEP SENIOR CENTER

According to the Ten Sleep Senior Center Executive Director Randy Firnekas, the tax funds will be used for operations, maintenance and to secure matching funds for grants used to keep center programs stable.

Firnekas said they have seen some revenue they receive decline, including the amount the Town of Ten Sleep can contribute, "because they are in the same boat as everyone else."

The center averages 30 meals between in-dining and home-delivered meals. He said people are just now starting to come back to in-dining after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some are still having meals delivered because they are still wary of being with larger groups.

He said if the tax is extended by voters, they would use the funds over the next four years to look at extending the bus barn to ensure all four vehicles in their fleet are protected. Currently one is parked outside in the elements.

They are also needing to replace one vehicle per the replacement schedule established by the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

He said the sales tax will also be used for operations as food, fuel and other supply costs continue to increase.

Firnekas said without funds to use as match for other grants to sustain programs, "the programs that our seniors need will have to be cut back drastically or eliminated."

Future needs that could be met with the continuation of the general purpose tax include a new dishwasher and new kitchen stove to replace aging equipment.

During the past four years with the sales tax funding, Firnekas said they were able to buy a new oven, replacing the old baking oven with a new double oven, which allows the center to prepare more meals with greater efficiency.

He said the tax also allows the center to make "stimulating day trips to local historical sites and concerts for our seniors and others."

The Ten Sleep Senior Center was named the Agency of the Year through WYDOT twice in the past five years. They are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and in addition to meals they offer games, Bingocise and Healthy You programs.

They have four full-time employees and four part-time employees.

WORLAND SENIOR CENTER

With 5 percent of the sales tax distribution, the Worland Senior Center received about $90,000 during the last 12 months.

"We use it for our match for every single grant," Executive Director Wendy Fredricks said, but noted they also utilize other revenue for matches and for grant projects.

For the next four years, Fredricks said, "The big thing that we are seeing is costs are so high. Our food bill almost doubled, paper and plastics almost tripled. It is costing a lot more to do the same thing."

She said they are seeing more people utilize their in-home services and the level of services needed is higher than it used to be.

In-home services is funded through the State of Wyoming. Funding was almost cut two years ago and Fredricks said it is "still on the chopping block" noting they are funded from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, but she said she has been informed that there will be some changes to the programs starting July 1.

She said the state funds they receive only fund about half of the program's costs.

In-home services include housekeeping, running essential errands/shopping, offering personal care (full bathing or standby assistance), personal emergency response systems (emergency buttons). Fredricks said they serve an average of 88 residents with a waiting list of 11.

One reason they are seeing an increase in the in-home services is that nursing home options have been extremely hard the past few years, with either no beds available or families fear that because of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns they would be unable to visit.

She said regarding staffing, wages are an issue, noting they start people at $11.50 per hour.

"It is hard finding people to work for the most vulnerable people in the community," Fredricks said, adding that she would like to stay relevant when it comes to wages.

She has been able to maintain the current fuel budget with rising gasoline and diesel costs but that is in part because ridership for the Van-Go public transportation service has not gotten back to its pre-pandemic numbers.

The federal mask mandate for public transit, which Van-Go is included, was to expire on Monday, but President Joe Biden extended it another two weeks. However, after a ruling by a federal judge in Florida, Fredricks said the mandate has been lifted.

"Our fuel costs will go even higher if we get back to full capacity," Fredricks said.

The Van-Go service is the only public transportation service in Washakie County. Transportation runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and Sundays by appointment. Transportation is also available for community events and out-of-town travel.

The Worland Senior Center is fully staffed with 24 full and part-time employees. They utilize a lot of volunteers for a variety of services, Fredricks said.

The center provides congregate meals, serving 7,881 during the past fiscal year (Oct. 1 – Sept. 30). They provided 10,961 home-delivered meals last fiscal year.

During the pandemic they offered and continue to offer "to-go meals" serving 4,891 in the past fiscal year.

The center also offers an array of other services including the medical loan closet, exercise and brain stimulation activities, billiards, ping pong, Bingo, art, cards and more.

 
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