Genesee County senior task force elevates homebound services and urges county grant-writing capacity

The Genesee County Senior Millage Task Force on Monday voted to raise programs serving homebound seniors — including in‑home care, meal delivery, wellness checks and caregiver support — into the report’s high-priority recommendations and asked the county to consider a professional grant‑research and writing function to secure funding.

The action came as members reviewed a draft report staff had prepared for the Genesee County Board of Commissioners. Staff member Gwyn gave a chapter-by-chapter overview of the draft and said the recommendations reflect eight months of presentations, stakeholder submissions and the task force’s prioritization process. Chair (who presided over the meeting) said the group must finalize the draft so it can be submitted to the commissioners by the early June reporting deadline.

Why it matters: Members said homebound seniors are at immediate risk of declining quality of life and that some practical needs — ramps, transportation, meal delivery and regular wellness checks — require prioritization now alongside longer-term study. “I just wanna pound that in because I don't see where we have an advocate for them,” said Elizabeth Taylor, a task force member who pressed for explicitly naming "homebound" in the high‑priority language.

What the task force did: After debate, a member moved to elevate the item on expanding programs for homebound seniors into the high‑priority category; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote after members amended the language to read "homebound." Later, members also voted to move the recommendation to create a county development function for grant research, writing and reporting from medium to high priority; supporters argued the county needs dedicated capacity to pursue state, federal and private funding and to build partnerships.

On the proposed study and immediate steps: Staff and members discussed a Michigan State University needs assessment that could provide more data on homebound needs, but the group agreed the study should not delay immediate prioritization or the task force’s report. Members noted the study’s scope and funding decisions would rest with the county commissioners. The chair and staff said they will circulate a revised draft for an email vote and will contact absent members, providing printed pages on request.

Votes and procedures: Both main motions were approved by voice vote in the meeting; members agreed staff will incorporate today’s amendments and circulate a final draft for an electronic vote so the task force can meet its June reporting timeframe. The task force’s formal tenure was discussed — members said the group’s appointment runs through early July, after which the board of commissioners may decide whether to continue or reconstitute a similar body.

Context and next steps: Staff (Gwyn and Derek) will edit the summary and recommendation language per the group’s amendments, document outreach to absent members, and distribute the revised pages for the e‑vote. The final, approved report will be sent to the Genesee County Board of Commissioners for their consideration and any subsequent implementation decisions.