The Agency on Aging is back on the Flathead County commissioners’ agenda next week for discussion and a vote to galvanize the county’s stand on providing aging services.

A two-hour time slot has been set aside for the commissioners to tackle the issue. It begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, with opening statements by the commissioners, then discussion among the commissioners, public comment pertaining to Agency on Aging services, further discussion by the commissioners and finally a vote.

Commissioner Gary Krueger said he asked to put the Agency on Aging discussion on the agenda.

Two weeks ago the commissioners unanimously approved an architectural and engineering agreement for a county building to house the Agency on Aging and other county offices, but Krueger said he believes it’s important for the commissioners to vote on where they stand with the county continuing to provide aging services.

“We’ve never taken a final vote,” Krueger said. “This is firming up the county’s position on [providing] AOA services in the South Campus building.”

For years the county has been working toward finding a different facility for the Agency on Aging because the agency has outgrown a leased facility on Kelly Road. Plans for a new building are now well underway.

CTA Architects Engineers of Kalispell is designing the new South Campus Building to be constructed on First Avenue West in a style similar to the Earl Bennett Building. A construction bid on the project is expected to be let by the end of the year.

The county has budgeted $6 million for the project in its five-year capital improvement plan. Half of the money is earmarked for the current fiscal year and the remaining $3 million is budgeted for next year.

Commissioner Pam Holmquist, who voted against the budget and the county’s capital improvement plan that included the new South Campus building, said she’s a little puzzled why the Agency on Aging issue is back on the agenda, and has asked her colleague for an explanation.

“We’re moving forward with the project,” she said. “If he [Krueger] wants confirmation, we could have done that with a workshop.”

Holmquist said she would like to know exactly what the commissioners will be voting on so she can be prepared.

Responding to a rumor that she and Republican commissioner candidate Phil Mitchell may favor privatizing aging services, Holmquist said she has been talking with community members about nonprofit organizational structure primarily as it relates to the Kalispell Senior Citizen Center.

That center operates in an old county-owned converted house, and the Kalispell senior program may be incorporated into the county’s new South Campus building.  Those discussions may have caused some confusion, she said.

“I’m always looking at what’s going on in the county. I want to understand all of it,” Holmquist said. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to change anything.”

She went on to say the Agency on Aging is “a great operation and a great program.”

“I’ve always been impressed with what goes on out there,” she added.

Mitchell has stated he believes the county’s seniors need a safety net of aging services, but he’s not sure whether those services should be provided by the county or a nonprofit organization.

While he wants the agency moved out of its leased quarters, Mitchell said he’s “struggling” with spending $6 million for a new building.

“It’s possible there could be other options that are cheaper and better,” he said. “I need to make sure we’re doing the right thing and that we are spending the right amount of money.”

Krueger said when he took office nearly two years ago he asked about outsourcing aging services and did a thorough study of the Agency on Aging operation.

“I haven’t seen the evidence to date that says we should look at another option,” Krueger said.

If the public can show there’s a better way to provide aging services than the county providing the space and support for those programs, it would be prudent for the commissioners to consider it.

“The best option looks to be what we’re doing,” Krueger said.

The Agency on Aging serves congregate meals at its Kelly Road facility, and Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals to hundreds of senior in their homes.

Beyond the meals program, the agency offers housekeeping assistance to seniors, escorted transportation for those not able to ride Eagle Transit or use Dial-A-Ride, respite care, an information and referral program that offers counseling on Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance, and monthly legal counseling.

The Agency on Aging also provides home visits or daily phone calls to homebound seniors. Its Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Mobile Home Repair Program offer other vital support services, and an ombudsman visits area nursing homes and assisted-living facilities each month, investigating complaints and educating facility staff.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.