MONROE - In a story published Friday, Oct. 11, The Monroe Times reported, based on comments made by board members, that the Senior Center does not have a city budget and received no taxpayer money, but rather, operates on a Senior Center Account or a fund-raising account.
But that's not the case, according to city officials -the city does in fact have a tax-supported budget for the Senior Citizen Center.
For 2013, $233,500 was budgeted. About $190,000 covers employee wages, health insurance, FICA, Medicare, pension and other withholdings, and associated training expenses. The center employs a full-time center coordinator, assistant coordinator, wellness specialist and part-time custodian.
The budget also includes $30,500 for utilities and telephone, $7,000 for building repairs and maintenance, and $4,500 for office and operating supplies.
The city took in revenues from fitness fees through the center's Wellness Center of $17,800 in 2010; $20,600 in 2011; an estimated $15,200 in 2012, and an anticipated $7,200 for 2013, after giving one-half of that annual revenue back to the center. The center paid the health insurance benefits cost for its wellness specialist until last year.
Also, according to the 2013 budget report, "The Senior Center funds its facility activities and programs through the Senior Center activity account. Over the past 10 years, the Senior Center has been able to fund most building improvements."
At issue is how to account for money the Senior Center raises through fundraisers and donations. The City of Monroe wants to create a budget for these funds, while the Senior Center board said that will force the center to ask the city for the money it raises. At the end of the year, unused monies would be put back into the city's general fund, the board said. Additionally, these funds are unpredictable so budgeting for them would be difficult, the board maintains.
The Senior Board plans to meet with the city administration to resolve the issue.
But that's not the case, according to city officials -the city does in fact have a tax-supported budget for the Senior Citizen Center.
For 2013, $233,500 was budgeted. About $190,000 covers employee wages, health insurance, FICA, Medicare, pension and other withholdings, and associated training expenses. The center employs a full-time center coordinator, assistant coordinator, wellness specialist and part-time custodian.
The budget also includes $30,500 for utilities and telephone, $7,000 for building repairs and maintenance, and $4,500 for office and operating supplies.
The city took in revenues from fitness fees through the center's Wellness Center of $17,800 in 2010; $20,600 in 2011; an estimated $15,200 in 2012, and an anticipated $7,200 for 2013, after giving one-half of that annual revenue back to the center. The center paid the health insurance benefits cost for its wellness specialist until last year.
Also, according to the 2013 budget report, "The Senior Center funds its facility activities and programs through the Senior Center activity account. Over the past 10 years, the Senior Center has been able to fund most building improvements."
At issue is how to account for money the Senior Center raises through fundraisers and donations. The City of Monroe wants to create a budget for these funds, while the Senior Center board said that will force the center to ask the city for the money it raises. At the end of the year, unused monies would be put back into the city's general fund, the board said. Additionally, these funds are unpredictable so budgeting for them would be difficult, the board maintains.
The Senior Board plans to meet with the city administration to resolve the issue.