WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — The Fayette County Commissioners met on Monday and Joy Stanforth, transportation director at Fayette County Community Action, made her presentation regarding the Commission on Aging and the funding for more transportation dollars to accommodate seniors.
The transportation contract costs have gone up and she suggested that a per mile charge, instead of a per ride charge, be implemented to save some costs. The funding and grants for transportation vary in amounts from $15,000-19,000 annually, which includes the Health and Aging grants, according to Stanforth.
Stanforth said that with $30,000 in additional funding from the commissioners, they could provide transportation for two years for seniors’ needs. Seniors get rides to and from the lunch program provided by the Commission on Aging on Elm Street, and it keeps seniors fed and active because of after lunch activities that are provided to them.
In discussion, it was mentioned that Fayette County does not have a “senior levy” for funding like some other counties provide. Stanforth said that over 400 seniors participate in the lunch program monthly and it is of great benefit to them.
Commissioner Dan Dean said there was $69,000 left in their ARPA funding (American Rescue Plan Act), given to Fayette County, which must be allocated or encumbered by the end of 2024. Therefore, after a vote, the $30,000 request was approved.
Local resident Janice Vaught brought her concerns regarding the Fayette County Dog Shelter to the commissioners once again to say that she wished they would have more open adoption events like they recently provided on a Saturday. She said she doesn’t think the dogs are getting out in the exercise area enough. Vaught still wants extended open hours, evenings and weekends, for the shelter.
Vaught said that there is still a lack of a fence that is needed, and Dog Warden Nelson Prater said they are still in the process of getting fencing quotes to build the necessary dog run fencing.
Vaught also put in a public freedom of information request for the names of the dogs that were recently adopted as a result of the open adoption event that was held at the shelter.
