COA tax millage on Oct. 14 ballot

Voters are being asked to support a 1.75 mills special tax to fund senior citizen programs, activities, services and facilities operated by the Council on Aging in both upper and lower St. Martin Parish in the special election to be held Saturday, Oct. 14.
The millage is projected to generate an estimated $650,000 per year, based on current property assessments.
The budgeted income for the COA during its 2016-17 fiscal year is $458,245.50.
Shanese L. Lewis was named executive director of the St. Martin COA in September 2014 at a starting salary of $36,000 a year. Lewis answered the following questions about services and activites offered at the council.
Please provide a list of current employees (full and part-time) and their titles.
The following individuals are employed by the St. Martin Council on Aging:
•Executive Director – full time.
•Secretary to the Director – full time.
•Transportation Coordinator – full time.
•Transportation Assistant/Driver – part time.
•Two Transportation Drivers – part time.
•Bookkeeper – part time.
•Receptionist – part time.
•Case Management Coordinator – part time.
•Two Case Managers (upper St. Martin) – part time.
•Two Homemakers (upper St. Martin) – part time.
•One Case Manager/Homemaker (lower St. Martin) – part time.
•.One Respite Aide/Sitter (upper St. Martin) – part time.
•One Visitor (upper St. Martin) – volunteer.
•.Nutrition Coordinator - part time.
•Two Meal Site Managers – part time.
•Six Meals Drivers – part time.
How many congregate meals are served daily at the Breaux Bridge location? The St. Martinville location?
The contract between Cajun Area Agency on Aging and the St. Martin COA stipulates that a total 29 congregate meals are to be served daily between both meal sites. However, because of the increased number of attendees at both locations, the daily meal count sometimes exceeds 40. When the meals exceed the contracted amount, SMCOA is responsible for the additional costs.
How many Meals on Wheels are delivered daily in the Breaux Bridge area and the St. Martinville area? Is there a waiting list? Who qualifies for these services?
The contract between Cajun Area Agency on Aging and the St. Martin COA stipulates that a total of 126 meals are to be delivered daily in St. Martin Parish. Currently meals are being delivered to the areas of Breaux Bridge, Catahoula, Henderson, Cecilia/Arnaudville, Parks, and St. Martinville. Because of the increased number of seniors in need of home delivered meals, the daily delivery count is 139. When the meals exceed the contracted amount, SMCOA is responsible for the additional costs.
There is currently a waiting list for home delivered meals. For upper St. Martin Parish, there are currently 30 people waiting to receive this particular service. Currently home delivered meals are not being provided to senior residents of lower St. Martin Parish, due to a lack of funding. There are least an additional 20 people waiting to receive this service. Since the time of our last visit to that area, we expect that the number has grown.
To qualify for home delivered meals, individuals must be at least 60 years of age, reside in St. Martin Parish, be homebound, and have no other means of providing meals for themselves. There are no financial qualifications; however, everyone interested in receiving services must be assessed for need. Individuals who are 90 or older automatically qualify for meals. After being assessed, they begin receiving meals immediately, due to age, whether or not the meal count has exceeded the contracted amount.
What activities besides Bingo are offered to St. Martin Parish seniors?
Seniors participate in various recreational activities. Bingo, casino trips and card games tend to be the most popular among the attendees. However, educational and informational presentations are conducted on a weekly basis by experts in various fields.
Seniors are provided information that will help them monitor sugar and sodium intake, exercise more, prepare their own taxes, prepare living wills, make decisions regarding nursing home care or living independently, safeguard their confidential and financial documents, prevent falls and accidents, choose healthy eating options, practice safe driving, etc. In addition, seniors learn about new Medicare options and have onsite flu and pneumonia shots and hearing screenings on an annual basis. They also receive blood pressure checks on a monthly basis.
Each month, the St. Martin Parish Library Outreach department delivers books, audiobooks, DVDs, and magazines to the Sydnie Mae Durand Activity Center for seniors who have signed up for mobile library service. Also, throughout the year, SMCOA hosts several events such as free monthly breakfast, birthday bash, volunteer recognition, Easter Egg Hunt, Crawfish Boil, Watermelon Social, Mardi Gras Dance, St. Patrick’s Day Party, Mother’s Day Celebration, Older American Week-long Celebration, Senior Talent Show, and Thanksgiving and Christmas luncheons, etc. Many of these events are sponsored by elected officials and local businesses.
What falls under line item Operating Services & Supplies?
The line item Operating Services & Supplies is anything that is necessary to ensure that services continue to be provided, such as warmers to help keep meals at the appropriate serving temperature, gloves, thermometers, janitorial supplies, office supplies, food, recreational supplies, agency expenses such as utilities, printing, vehicle maintenance and fuel, audits, insurance, etc.
We have projected that those expenses will increase with the passing of the millage, since the expectation is that services will double, due to the number of seniors that we will be able to reach.
How many seniors are assessed by COA case managers on a weekly basis?
Case managers must assess at least 30 seniors on a weekly basis. In most cases, this number is exceeded. However, if the number is not met, case managers must provide a detailed explanation.
How many hours of service are offered for homemaking, in-home respite, sitter, visiting?
Employees provide at least one hour of homemaker, sitting, and visiting per week, depending on the number of seniors receiving services; however, some seniors may receive two hours of service per week when there is a cancellation or the employee is working a longer schedule. Caregivers who receive respite may receive up to four hours per week, not to exceed 120 hours in a fiscal year. When there is a need for caregivers to receive more than 120 hours of service per year, a waiver must be requested from Cajun Area Agency on Aging and the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs. The waiver is usually granted when there is justification of need.

Board of Directors: The annual membership meeting was held on Sept. 27, only five seniors besides the COA board of directors and employees attended.
An election of the board of directors was held for the seats in District 1, 8 and at-large.
One new board member was elected to serve a three-year term. Charlotte Radcliff from District 1 replaces Linda Cooke who resigned. Re-elected were Betty Guidry from District 8 and at-large member Jennifer Champagne
Continuing their three-year terms are Arthur Champ, Dist. 2; Janet Lasseigne, Dist. 3; Bobbie Reed, Dist. 4; Camille Blanchard, Dist. 5; Kenneth Mouton, Dist. 6; Rena Edmond, Dist. 7; Katryn Nelson, Dist. 9; and Melvin Neveu, at-large.