2012 2:00:00 PM

Monday, June 11, 2012 2:00 PM
745 4th Street, Sparks, NV 89431

General Business: 6.2

Title: Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a policy statement defining supported funding options to be forwarded to the Washoe County Commission related to the Washoe County Senior Services Department [POSSIBLE ACTION]

Petitioner/Presenter: Shaun D. Carey, City Manager/Stephen W. Driscoll, Assistant City Manager

Recommendation: The Council discuss the June 4, 2012 Joint Meeting staff report titled “Presentation by Washoe County Senior Services Department on options to address the growing population of senior citizens in Washoe County” and provide the Washoe County Commission with a city-supported option(s) to address funding issues related to the Washoe County Senior Services Department.

Financial Impact: Unknown

Business Impact (Per NRS 237):
A Business Impact Statement is not required because this is not a rule.

Agenda Item Brief: The June 4, 2012 Joint Meeting of the City Of Sparks Council, City of Reno Council, the Washoe County Commission, and the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees was cancelled due to a lack of a quorum. Agenda Items 8, per the Executive Summary, was intended to be a discussion of need to provide more senior services for both the projected increase in baby boomers entering the system and the care needs of the entire senior population. Agenda Item 9 was intended to generate a discussion from Agenda Item 8 on the potential funding needs and options to providing an increased funding source(s) for the community’s senior population.

Background: The June 4, 2012 Joint Meeting of the City Of Sparks Council, City of Reno Council, the Washoe County Commission, and the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees agenda included Joint Meeting Agenda Item #8 – Presentation by Washoe County Senior Services Department on options to address the growing population of senior citizens in Washoe County. The attached Joint Meeting agenda staff report’s Executive Summary stated: “The resources available to support senior citizens’ independence and meet their basic needs is not keeping place with the population growth projected through 2030.” The staff report goes on to state: “ In 1985, when voters approved the $.01 Senior Citizens ad valorem Fund in perpetuity, it was believed to be adequate for all future facility, program and service needs. Because of increasing costs, the addition of essential programs and population growth, this has not remained true. The Fund was not adequate to build or staff the Sparks Center in 1991, the Gerlach Center in 2001, and today is not adequate to maintain or remodel the 9th and Sutro Center. And, County Code amendments added DayBreak Adult Day Health, Representative Payee and Senior Law to core Nutrition and Social Services. These amendments emphasized Washoe County Senior Services’ (WCSS) social services programs and made wellness programs optional. That began a trend of serving seniors at greatest risk of institutionalization, which continues to this day. Fortunately, City partnerships and volunteers have allowed the wellness programs to continue and expand to South Reno at the Neil Road Recreation Center. But, a greater challenge lies ahead from an increasingly older community and more seniors with the complex conditions that come with advanced age. The Senior Citizens ad valorem Fund is not able to keep pace: ? Over 27% of population growth over the last decade is those aged 55-64; ? Those over 55 are 25% of total residents; ? Those over 65 are 13% of the total today, and will be 20% by 2030. ? Those 85+ are the fastest-growing segment, with much higher rates of disability, poor health, social isolation and cognitive limitations The “Baby Boom” has arrived and is arguably the most significant demographic challenge we will face in the 21st century. Although many, especially who have family support can manage for themselves, there is a growing need for the less fortunate and those with complex health conditions. ? Those 65+ account for 60% of health care costs, yet are only 12% of the population, today ? More than 50% of patient admissions across Nevada are patients over 65 years ? As many as 20% of Washoe County seniors have more than one social or health characteristic that places them at imminent risk of unnecessary institutionalization or hospitalization: 1) income less than 185% of poverty, 2) live alone with no social support, 3) have a functional limitation that requires assistance, 4) more than one chronic health condition, cognitive limitations, and 5) advanced age (85+). ? Chance any senior will become cognitively or physically impaired: 2 in 3 ? Chance any senior will enter a nursing home: 1 in 3 Today’s challenging circumstances come from longer lives and better health. Life expectancy in 1900 was 48 years; today it is 78. Improved medical care, public health and sanitation, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Veterans Services, and more active and engaged seniors has lifted millions out of poverty, improved health and provided a higher quality of life. But this does not address the challenge for many vulnerable seniors and families who provide care: ? Today Washoe County Senior Services assists only 8% of the 71,000 County residents over the age of 60. ? The Washoe County Senior Center, 9th and Sutro, is 34 years old, and over half of its Meals on Wheels vehicles are over 10 years old. ? Washoe County is unable to leverage some federal funds because of limited staff and restricted authority (state policy restricts authority to Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division). ? Waiting lists for almost all services; initial assessment for Home Delivered Meals takes four weeks because of staffing limitations and funding for meals. ? The number of congregate and home delivered meals served annually is the same today as in 1992. Even though Senior Services has increased the number of people served by 57% over the past five years, each individual is getting less service. Strategies, such as subcontracting, have reduced cost but not increased services because of budget cuts.” The County’s staff report highlighted two funding option scenarios utilizing property taxes as the funding source. The options discussed the value provided and the service changes proposed including services, service enhancements, and staffing additions.

Analysis: The services provided county-wide are perceived to need additional funding to provide the same services to a known growing population of “baby boomers” who are now entering the senior citizen ranks in record numbers daily. The need for additional services for this increasing population of senior citizens is adding pressures to the constricting funding resources currently available to the Washoe County Senior Services Department as highlighted in the attached Joint Meeting staff report. Potential funding options to regional local government agencies include, but are not limited to: • Utilizing the current property tax allotment • Increasing the property tax allotment at the county level • Increasing the property tax allotment at the city and county level • Changing the property tax allotment between the cities and the county—reduction in city property tax with an offsetting increase in the county property tax level. • Utilizing other tax revenue sources—C-Tax, Licenses and Fees, etc. Based on the action selected action proposed by the Sparks City Council, the Reno City Council, and/or the Washoe County Commission, policy may be defined and approved by the local agency. Other action may need to be presented to the voters for approval via a ballot measure.

Alternatives: 1. The Sparks City Council could determine an increase in funding for the Washoe County Senior Services Department services and/or service enhancements is warranted and approve a policy statement defining supported funding options to be forwarded to the Washoe County Commission for possible action. 2. The Sparks City Council could choose to not provide any change in the current funding source for the Washoe County Senior Services Department.

Recommended Motion: Action by the Sparks City Council will be determined by the discussion on this item.

Attached Files:

Joint Meeting June 4 2012 Agenda Item 8 Staff Report Senior Services V3.pdf

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