Council on Aging budget draws pushback as council rejects small office‑supplies cut

Everett's budget committee spent significant time on the Council on Agingudget, with councilors seeking details about program funding, outstanding invoices and plans for outreach before voting on proposed cuts.

Director Dale Palmer told the panel the department receives funds that are then paid out on invoices from organizations such as Portal to Hope and that some items remain unbilled for the current fiscal year. "We haven't received an invoice from her in quite a while and we've reached out," Palmer said when asked about Portal to Hope invoicing.

Councilor Marcelle Smith moved to cut $1,000 from the office‑supplies line after noting the department had spent about $495 year‑to‑date. Smith defended the motion as a fiscal check: "When I look at a budget, I look at the past three years, what has been spent, what has been encumbered, and what we are spending now," she said.

Several councilors pushed back, saying the cut could constrain programming. Councilor Matuszewski described heavy demand at the Connelly Center, including a food pantry line with more than 400 people waiting, and urged preserving funding for seniors. After discussion the roll call on Smith's motion failed.

Later the committee considered a separate motion to reduce the salary appropriation for a vacant principal‑clerk position. That motion, to lower the line by $60,492, passed on roll call and the department budget moved forward as amended.

Palmer outlined program priorities that prompted the department's higher FY25 request, including a pilot to offer translation services (Spanish, Portuguese, Creole and Asian languages) and contingency funds to replace partner funding for a Portuguese‑speakers group. He said part‑time workers and volunteers are central to center operations and that the department is "a little short staffed" due to leave and vacancies.

The committee approved the Council on Aging budget as amended.