A northeast Michigan commission on aging has eliminated its transportation service and pop-up food pantry. The commission is citing financial issues for the end of the programs and says it was illegal for them to operate because of how they were being implemented.
The Alcona County Commission on Aging says the services were being provided to non-seniors, or people under the age of 60, and to people who didn’t live in Alcona County.
"Well, had it been just for seniors, it would be here, probably. The trouble is, it wasn't for just seniors, everybody was participating in it," said Alcona County Commission on Aging Board President LeRoy Perrin. "It was only about half of seniors and the rest were underage or out of the county."
According to Perrin, the previous ACCOA administration set the programs up. He said the commission shouldn't have allowed services to non-seniors and people outside the county.
The commission is “bleeding money” because of the programs, Perrin said on a call with WCMU. Perrin didn't disclose how much money the commission has lost because of the programs.
"We can't do it without losing a lot of money," said Perrin. "And that's taxpayer money that we can't afford to do that with."
The commission had significant administrative turnover in the last six months, resulting in the removal of its executive director and resignations from several board members.
Internal disagreement stemmed from a $12.5 grant the commission received last year from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to construct a "community hub." It's the largest state grant ever awarded to Alcona county.
Perrin said the Thunder Bay Transportation Authority is available to people in Alcona County who need non-emergency transportation.
The commission’s "Meals on Wheels" program will continue to operate normally.
According to U.S. Census data from 2016, Alcona County is the fourth oldest county in the country.
