OTTAWA – County commissioners weren’t too encouraging to a request Monday to a increase the budget for elderly services including public transportation and meals. Because of the bad economy, Kathy Duderstadt said the county’s elderly services are under increased financial pressure because of more demand for services and because the state has made sharp cutbacks in funding for elderly services. The county’s general transportation service has a sharp increase in the number of riders last year, and this year, there has been a sharp increase above last year, as well as an increase in the length of trips made by buses, she said. Commissioner Ed Taylor told her that because of the economy, most social agencies are facing more demands and state funding cutbacks but the county faces its own financial pressures. Commissioners have asked all agencies and departments not to request more money in their budgets for next year, he said.
Tuesday, June 22, 2:30 p.m.
