Commission approves $40,000 grant increase for Tool Works ADRC to cover salaries and rent

The commission approved a budget modification on Sept. 6 to increase Tool Works Inc.’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) grant by $40,000 plus a 10% contingency, raising the not‑to‑exceed amount to $312,234.

Program analyst Sarah Hofferberg told the commission Tool Works is one of two citywide ADRCs that specialize in services for adults with disabilities. She said the modification is intended to support staff salary increases and to cover a small portion of rent because Tool Works has experienced staffing shortages and had to use other funds to cover salaries while recruiting.

Hofferberg said monitoring for fiscal year 2022–23 was conducted in June 2023 and found Tool Works in compliance with contracted deliverables. The modification does not change scope or service deliverables; it is limited to operational support for ongoing ADRC functions.

Commissioners asked for clarification about timing and why the funds were needed now; Hofferberg explained salary and operational pressures as the reason. The item passed in a unanimous roll call vote with no public callers recorded.