WARREN — Trumbull County Commissioners are considering reallocating $125,000 of senior levy funds from senior centers to in-home care services to address a growing waitlist of seniors needing assistance, a move that sparked debate during Wednesday’s meeting.
Diane Siskowic-Jurkovic, Trumbull County Senior Levy Administrator, proposed shifting funds from the county’s 11 senior centers to homemaker and chore services, citing a waitlist of more than 200 seniors for in-home care.
During public speaking, Siskowic-Jurkovic urged commissioners to schedule a follow-up meeting to finalize the funding plan, noting the time-intensive bid process. A meeting with the council is set for July 25.
The senior levy, renewed in 2024 and effective in 2026, funds transportation, senior centers and in-home care, but Siskowic-Jurkovic said the additional funding could serve about 50 more seniors, reducing the waitlist. Homemaker services include assistance with bathing, laundry and cleaning for seniors with limited mobility, while chore services cover tasks like grass cutting and snow removal.
“We’re releasing additional money early to spend down some of our carryover funds where there’s waitlists,” Siskowic-Jurkovic told commissioners.
She noted that a previous program funded by the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office, which supported chore services, was discontinued, leaving more seniors without coverage.
The county’s 11 senior centers, which Siskowic-Jurkovic said are more than in neighboring Mahoning County with two or Portage County with none, face potential funding cuts or closures to redirect resources. Siskowic-Jurkovic suggested reducing the number to nine to ensure centers are spaced out evenly across the county so active seniors can still drive to alternative locations without losing access.
Commissioner Tony Bernard opposed the cuts, arguing the county should use existing carryover funds rather than reduce senior center budgets.
“Why cut the senior citizen centers this year when we don’t have to? The money’s there from the senior levy, let’s use it,” Bernard said, suggesting the move delays addressing the issue.
Siskowic-Jurkovic countered that relying on carryover funds is “kicking the can down the road,” warning that the approach is unsustainable once funds are depleted.
Bernard insisted the money is available now, stating, “Kicking the can is when you don’t have the money. We have the money.”
Commissioner Rick Hernandez acknowledged the situation, adding that seniors had reached out to oppose cuts to centers like SCOPE, which provide valuable community services.
“There’s only so much money to go around, but we need to meet and make sure we supply money to all services,” Hernandez said.
Commissioners approved extending senior center contracts for two months, from Sept. 1 to Nov. 1, 2025, to ensure continuity during a request-for-proposal process. They also authorized advertising for sealed proposals for homemaker and chore services for seniors 60 and older, with contracts running from Oct. 1, 2025, to Aug. 31, 2026.
Commissioner Denny Malloy talked about the need for balancing services for the most vulnerable.
“If we have to cut back somewhere, we want to make sure we provide for shut-ins and people who need baths. It’s all important,” he said.
