Pike County Senior Center Background
In the past, the Pike County Senior Center was operated by the Pike County Board of Commissioners for many years.
Due to a variety of funding issues, the Commissioners asked the Community Action Committee of Pike County (CAC) to assume operation of the Senior Center in the 1980's.
CAC was in a unique position as they already had a Head Start Program and food services for their meals.
By combining the two programs, some of the funding issues that excisted at that time were resolved.
In the past, the Pike County Senior Center was operated by the Pike County Board of Commissioners for many years.
Due to a variety of funding issues, the Commissioners asked the Community Action Committee of Pike County (CAC) to assume operation of the Senior Center in the 1980's.
CAC was in a unique position as they already had a Head Start Program and food services for their meals.
By combining the two programs, some of the funding issues that excisted at that time were resolved.
Q. What is the Pike County Senior Citizens Renewal Levy and why is it needed?
A. Senior Programs and the Senior Center provide several important services to Pike County’s older population. These include Meals on Wheels, in-home personal care, transportation, senior companions, congregate meals and socialization. The problem is that financial resources have not kept pace with the needs of our rapidly growing elderly population. The funding for these program from federal and state sources has steadily declined for many years, a trend which is expected to continue. Meanwhile, the demand for these services and cost of providing them has steadily increased. As the baby boomers begin to reach retirement age, the need for senior services will rise sharply. Without additional funding, it will be impossible to fully provide these vital services. That is why more and more Ohio counties are using local revenue to support senior programs. Currently Pike County, like most counties in Ohio, has a Senior Citizens Levy.
The current Pike County Senior Citizens Levy is a 1 mill, 10-year, operating levy.
The money from levy proceeds pays the loan on the Senior Center building (constructed and opened in 2009).
Levy proceeds also pay for operational costs for the commercial kitchen, maintenance and utility costs, as well as vital services, such as home-delivered meals and personal care for senior citizens throughout the county.
A. Senior Programs and the Senior Center provide several important services to Pike County’s older population. These include Meals on Wheels, in-home personal care, transportation, senior companions, congregate meals and socialization. The problem is that financial resources have not kept pace with the needs of our rapidly growing elderly population. The funding for these program from federal and state sources has steadily declined for many years, a trend which is expected to continue. Meanwhile, the demand for these services and cost of providing them has steadily increased. As the baby boomers begin to reach retirement age, the need for senior services will rise sharply. Without additional funding, it will be impossible to fully provide these vital services. That is why more and more Ohio counties are using local revenue to support senior programs. Currently Pike County, like most counties in Ohio, has a Senior Citizens Levy.
The current Pike County Senior Citizens Levy is a 1 mill, 10-year, operating levy.
The money from levy proceeds pays the loan on the Senior Center building (constructed and opened in 2009).
Levy proceeds also pay for operational costs for the commercial kitchen, maintenance and utility costs, as well as vital services, such as home-delivered meals and personal care for senior citizens throughout the county.
Q. What is a Senior Center and Why Do They Matter?
A. No two senior centers are alike, Senior Centers can be:
One reason Senior Centers matter is that the senior population is predicted to explode in the next few years.
Click here to see the predicted growth in the state of Ohio per county.
A. No two senior centers are alike, Senior Centers can be:
- Private Clubs
- Stand Alone 501(c)3 organizations
- City Parks and Recreation facilities
- Local Government agencies
- Others, like Pike County, are part of a larger organization
One reason Senior Centers matter is that the senior population is predicted to explode in the next few years.
Click here to see the predicted growth in the state of Ohio per county.
Q. Why did you retire the previous Senior Center location?
A. The acquisition worked well for a number of years but, over time, issues arose:
A. The acquisition worked well for a number of years but, over time, issues arose:
- The previous Senior Center was housed in the Walnut Street School.
- The building was constructed in 1920 and naturally deteriorated over the years.
- Baby Boomers began to age!
- The Result:
- More space and capacity was needed for seniors
Q. How are Senior Centers funded?
A. Funding for senior centers varies from center to center, but can be funded by one or more of the following:
Even with all these funding sources, resources typically fall short of covering the cost of what seniors need and want from a center.
This has been especially true recently due to Federal and State budget cuts.
A. Funding for senior centers varies from center to center, but can be funded by one or more of the following:
- Private fees
- Government grants, such as the Older Americans' Act
- Local government funds
- Levy funds
- Reimbursement for services covered under Medicaid Waiver Programs, such as Passport
- Senior Citizens Levies
- Private grants and donations
Even with all these funding sources, resources typically fall short of covering the cost of what seniors need and want from a center.
This has been especially true recently due to Federal and State budget cuts.
Q. How is the Pike County Senior Center Funded?
A. As a result of the previous issues:
A. As a result of the previous issues:
- Pike County Commissioners put the Pike County Senior Citizens Levy on the ballot in March of 2008.
- Happily, the Levy passed!
- The purpose of the levy was to construct and provide operating funds for a new senior center.
- The new Senior Center was constructed and opened for business in November 2009.
- Additional funding is comprised of a combination of Federal and State funds, as well as fee-for-service activities and donations.
Q. Many older people live on fixed incomes; will this increase in property taxes be a burden on them?
A. The levy renewal is designed to provide funding for essential services and facilities in the most efficient manner possible. This has enabled us to seek only a one mill property tax increase. This means that for the owner of a home valued at $100,000, the increased tax will be $35 per year. Older low income home owners are eligible for property tax reductions through the Homestead Exemption Program. For older citizens who are the most financially needy, this levy will provide support worth far more than the cost of this small property tax increase.
A. The levy renewal is designed to provide funding for essential services and facilities in the most efficient manner possible. This has enabled us to seek only a one mill property tax increase. This means that for the owner of a home valued at $100,000, the increased tax will be $35 per year. Older low income home owners are eligible for property tax reductions through the Homestead Exemption Program. For older citizens who are the most financially needy, this levy will provide support worth far more than the cost of this small property tax increase.
Q. What will the Pike County Senior Citizens Renewal Levy cost me?
A. If you do not own real estate in Pike County, the levy will not cost you a thing!
If you do own real estate in Pike County, the cost will vary based on the value of your home, but the cost for a one mill levy is actually quite low.
A. If you do not own real estate in Pike County, the levy will not cost you a thing!
If you do own real estate in Pike County, the cost will vary based on the value of your home, but the cost for a one mill levy is actually quite low.
Senior Citizens Levy Tax Example:
For real estate tax purposes, the county auditor assesses a $100,000 home at 35% or $35,000.
A one mill levy costs that homeowner $35 per year:
($35,000 x .001 = $35)
$35 divided by 365 days = $.095
Less than a dime a day!
A small price to pay for all the services available through the senior center for those that need them!
For real estate tax purposes, the county auditor assesses a $100,000 home at 35% or $35,000.
A one mill levy costs that homeowner $35 per year:
($35,000 x .001 = $35)
$35 divided by 365 days = $.095
Less than a dime a day!
A small price to pay for all the services available through the senior center for those that need them!
Q. Who operates the Senior Citizens building?
A. Community Action Committee of Pike County operates this building. The Senior Programs is one of many programs offered by this agency.
A. Community Action Committee of Pike County operates this building. The Senior Programs is one of many programs offered by this agency.
Q. Is the Senior Center building available for use by the community?
A. Yes! Our new facility has a stage, modern sound system and an auditorium capable of seating approximately 300 persons. When not being used for Senior Citizen’s services, it will be made available for use by the community for special events. Please give us a call to schedule your event today.
A. Yes! Our new facility has a stage, modern sound system and an auditorium capable of seating approximately 300 persons. When not being used for Senior Citizen’s services, it will be made available for use by the community for special events. Please give us a call to schedule your event today.
Q. Will any of the levy money be used for other programs other than Senior Citizens?
A. Absolutely not!
A. Absolutely not!
Q. What will happen if the voters don’t pass the levy renewal?
A. The long range stability of senior services in Pike County will certainly be jeopardized. The ability to meet the need for senior services will decline. Without our new senior center and funding for these programs, some seniors will be forced to enter nursing homes or needlessly suffer. We will have lost this great opportunity to deal with a growing problem and take control of our own futures.
A. The long range stability of senior services in Pike County will certainly be jeopardized. The ability to meet the need for senior services will decline. Without our new senior center and funding for these programs, some seniors will be forced to enter nursing homes or needlessly suffer. We will have lost this great opportunity to deal with a growing problem and take control of our own futures.
Q. Who legally owns the Senior Center?
A. The Community Action Committee of Pike County.
A. The Community Action Committee of Pike County.
Q. How much money will the levy renewal yield annually?
A. Approximately $300,000 less fees.
A. Approximately $300,000 less fees.