By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
An audit of the Wood County Committee on Aging found the agency serving local seniors is spending far more on programming than administration. That covers expenses like yogurt and yoga, cribbage and computer classes.
The main senior center in Bowling Green and its seven satellite sites are focused on meeting needs with home-delivered meals, transportation to medical appointments, home repairs, health screenings, and caregiver support groups.
The results of the audit, conducted by Clark Schaefer Hackett Business Advisors, were presented Wednesday to the WCCOA Board – with the results described as “golden.”
During 2024, the agency serving seniors spent 91% of its total expenses on programming.
“That is really good,” said Amr Elaskary, who conducted the audit with Cody Mitchell. “Anything above 90% is a good milestone to achieve.”
The charting of the ratio of spending on programs has continued to inch up each year since 2020.
The audit was clean, with no findings and no errors.
“I think we can be very proud, especially of our 91% ratio,” WCCOA Board President Tom Milbrodt said of the presentation.
WCCOA Executive Director Alisha Nenadovich agreed.
“It’s a good view of the organization and how wisely we use our money,” she said. “That’s obviously very impressive.”
The senior centers go beyond making sure people are fed and physically healthy. The staff also understand the importance of challenging minds and socializing with new and old friends. So the following programs are frequently in the calendar listings:
- Technology classes and computer help
- Creative classes – Art, writers’ groups, jam sessions
- Fitness – Yoga, Tai Chi and more
- Card and board games and tournaments
- Tours and local outings
- Lunch served at each senior center, Monday through Friday
When the WCCOA levy returns to the ballot next year, Elaskary and Mitchell suggested the board remind voters about the audit results.
In other business at Wednesday’s board meeting, Nenadovich announced that Jim Stainbrook is retiring after staying on during the new senior center construction to act as liaison with contractors.
Stainbrook was praised as having a “tremendous amount of institutional knowledge.”
Also at the meeting:
- The board learned that two board members are leaving during their terms. Judy Wahrman, who has served for many years, and Daveen Branyan, who is new to the organization, will be replaced by the board.
- John Calderonello, of the nominating committee, reported that efforts are being made to find “younger” members – such as people recently retired.
- Nenadovich reported that due to an inability to hire a new coordinator at the North Baltimore satellite center, that the facility will close temporarily until a replacement is found.
- Nenadovich discussed the need for a “hot truck” for transporting hot meals from the production kitchen to all the centers. The cost for a new “hot truck” was estimated at $78,000.
- It was announced that the next WCCOA board meeting will be held June 11, at 1:15 p.m., at the satellite location in Pemberville.
