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Dickinson board OKs funding for five senior centers

IRON MOUNTAIN — Allocations for senior citizen centers in Dickinson County in 2021 will see only a few changes under a plan approved Monday by the county board.

A county-wide levy of 0.4 mills, or 40 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, generates revenues for senior citizen programs. The county expects to have nearly $411,000 available for 2021, an increase of about $20,000.

The allocation schedule directs much of the increase to the Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency, which will receive $276,263, up from $259,049 in 2020.

Allocations for the five senior centers are:

— $40,000 for Norway, up from $35,929.

— $35,000 for the Iron Mountain center at Crystal Lake, down from $40,500 but with the potential to receive an additional $10,000 for congregate meals.

— $25,000 for the Sagola Senior Center, no change.

— $24,500 for the Breen Center in Kingsford, no change.

— $10,000 for the Felch Senior Center, up from $6,000.

The board’s action during Monday’s Zoom meeting came after a Nov. 10 budget session attended by DICSA Director Kristin Sommerfeld and representatives from all but the Sagola center. DICSA’s share of the funding helps provide home-delivered meals and several other programs, including support for the Family Ties adult day care center.

Commissioner Kevin Pirlot suggested the additional $10,000 for Iron Mountain, which is the only center without a congregate meal program. The money could offset expenses should the center decide to serve meals but will only be available for that purpose, he said.

Other commissioners supported the idea, with details to be worked out in the 2021 budget.

The county is also in the process of turning over ownership of the Iron Mountain center to the Senior Citizens Council of Dickinson County, which now leases the building. The board noted its allocations are subject to actual revenues and may be amended.

In December 2019, each of the five senior centers received a supplemental allocation of $10,000 paid from a surplus in the senior millage tax fund.

The Norway center, meanwhile, receives support as well from a levy of 0.5 mills, or 50 cents per $1,000 taxable value, which generates roughly $80,000 from the city of Norway and Norway and Waucedah townships. Norway separated from DICSA’s noon meal program in 2016.

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