As concerned citizens who care deeply about our community’s most vulnerable older adults, we feel compelled to speak up and urge county leaders to implement the senior millage quickly, effectively, and with minimal administrative overhead. Our seniors—especially those who are low-income, isolated, or struggling to access essential resources—deserve immediate, thoughtful investment in community-based services that have already proven to work.
The bulk of the senior millage funds need to go directly to existing community agencies that have a clear, measurable impact on older adults’ lives. These organizations, with their established track records of providing critical safety net services, are the most reliable stewards of these funds. Why waste time and resources building new systems from scratch when there are already effective programs in place? This is about using taxpayer dollars wisely and getting help to those who need it most.
Safety net services are not just a feel-good measure; they are a practical necessity. Providing access to healthcare, housing, nutrition, transportation, social support, and economic assistance prevents crises before they happen. It’s about ensuring older adults can maintain their wellbeing, independence, and quality of life. And it’s far more cost-effective to support these services upfront than to pay the price of emergencies that could have been prevented.
Rather than duplicate organizational structures and personnel that already exist in established nonprofits, we should have a streamlined approach. A small, focused unit integrated into existing county infrastructure should work directly with local community-based providers who have experience in serving vulnerable seniors.
This process needs to move forward quickly. A simple one-to-two-year funding opportunity for proven organizations would keep essential services running while also generating real data on which programs deliver the best results. From there, the county can make informed decisions about where future resources should go. A two-tiered funding approach—one level for high-capacity organizations with strong track records and another for smaller organizations—could ensure a balanced approach that serves the entire community.
The voters approved this millage to protect and enhance services for older adults. Let’s honor that commitment by implementing it in the most efficient, practical way possible, drawing on the expertise of our local community-based providers who have been doing this work effectively for years. It’s time to act quickly, smartly, and with a laser focus on the well-being of our seniors.
If you agree, please contact your Washtenaw County Commissioner to let them know how you feel.
Julie Grand, former Ann Arbor City Council Member
Joan Lowenstein, former Ann Arbor City Council Member
Liz Brater, former Michigan State Senator
Neal Elyakin