Voting yes on continuing senior center tax district is important

On November 4, south Big Horn County residents will vote on continuing the funding for the South Big Horn Senior Center tax district. This mill levy has been around for a long time. A vote yes is not a vote for a new tax. It is a vote to continue to serve our seniors. Many of the services the center offers results in seniors being able to stay in their homes longer. The cost of one year of Wyoming Home Services (WyHS) from the senior center is equal to a month in a long-term facility. Keeping people in their homes means tax money is used more efficiently. 

WyHS services available are personal care and homemaking services for Big Horn County seniors 60 years of age or over, their spouses and some disabled individuals 18 year of age and over. The center also can loan seniors, at no cost and for as long as needed, items such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower seats, portable toilet chairs, crutches, etc. 

Another service offered by the center is meals. Whether eating in the center or delivered to homes, the meals provide a well-balanced lunch. The cost of food for the center has increased 36% over the last three years. The grant funds to help pay for the food have decreased 13% over the same three-year period.  The current reimbursement from the state is $3.52 per meal. The requested donation for a meal is $3. The total of $6.52 covers approximately half of the total cost of the meal. 

Public transportation is another service vital to our community. The center is available to everyone in southern Big Horn County. They will take you to medical or other appointments, to visit friends, to meals, activities or to shop in Basin or Greybull. The suggested donation is $2 each way for those under 60 and $1 each way for those over. The price has not increased even though the cost of fuel has. 

The rise in cost of food, fuel, supplies and cost of living means that the center is more dependent than ever on the additional funds from the mill levy.  The mill levy district funds also provide funds for major breakdowns that the center may encounter such as heating/cooling, roof, equipment replacement and repair. These funds reduce the stress of the senior center staff which allows them to concentrate on the most important mission of the center which is to ensure that the senior residents of southern Big Horn County remain safe and in their homes as long as possible.

Again, keep in mind, this is not a new tax. A vote yes means the levy will continue. It means the center can continue to support the aging in our community. Your yes vote is important.