by Evelyn Pyburn-originally published in the weekly print edition 2-12-16 of the Yellowstone County News.
BILLINGS — Yellowstone County Commissioners have set a hearing for Feb. 23 to gather public comment on a Resolution of Intent to place a request of voters to increase property taxes for senior services, on the June 7 primary ballot.
The proposal would be a perpetual levy of 1.73 mills, which would raise about $578,335 a year in property tax revenue. The Adult Resource Alliance (Senior Services Center) already receives 2.51 mills which raises about $839,088. The Alliance administers a wide range of programs which serve the elderly in communities throughout Yellowstone County, including Meals on Wheels, transportation services and in-home support.
The new levy amounts to $4.67 on a home with a $200,000 market value or $2.33 on a home with a market value of $100,000.
The last time the Alliance received a mill levy increase was in 2006, in the interim demand for services have continually increased as the population of seniors has increased with the aging of the baby-boomers, explained Bea Ann Melichar, the executive director for the Adult Resource Alliance.
About 25,568 people in Yellowstone County are 65 and older. That number is expected to be more than 36,000 by 2026 and over 41,000 by 2036.
Melichar reviewed the budget, explaining some of its disbursements to area communities. Senior Centers have been held to the same levels for the past four years – Huntley $3,142, Worden $3,605; Shepherd $2,266; Custer $5,150 and Broadview $5,150. With the mill levy approval they will get an additional $2,000 this year. (Centers are also located in Billings and Laurel.)
Funding is also made available for bus service for Custer and Laurel, which they hope to be able to expand to more frequent trips and to serve more areas. They help fund MET for medical transportation, as well as provide cabs for medical appointments or to get to meal sites.
The Alliance oversees an organization of volunteers and reimburses them for transportation costs. Many of those trips in the past are to take seniors grocery shopping, said Melichar, they hope to be able offer a grocery delivery service with help of volunteers in the future.
Other programs include a senior dinner program (serving 2,306 people annually) and Senior Helping Hands and other support services.
Meals on Wheels serves 468 people and has a waiting list of at least 50 more. Its annual cost has been $58,894.
