OTTAWA – Two agencies asked county commissioners for increases in their budgets for next year. The Council of Elderly Services and general transportation system is requesting a $12,000 increase in its funding for next year to about $267,000. Ottawa Franklin County Economic Development is asking for $4,500 more from the county and $4,500 more from the city of Ottawa. Mid-America Nutrition and elderly services director Sharon Geiss told county commissioners Monday morning because of federal and state cutbacks, the agency can’t find grants to replace its aging buses. Although the service has cut one bus and scaled back, the bus service has seen a 25 percent increase in ridership, she said.. Chairman Don Higdon told commissioners that the council cut its budget by $20,000 two years ago and held the line thereafter. However, there are no cash reserves and without an infusion of new money, the agency faces the tough choices of closing the area senior centers for one month or end the bus service for one month to make the money stretch, he said. OFCED must find new land for new industrial prospects, Finch said. In addition, OFCED is launching new workforce development programs in the county’s four school districts, which will cost about $15,000, he said. OFCED is one of the few agencies that promises money back to the city and county for the money invested in it, he said.
“Tuesday, June 14, 3 p.m.
