Toll lane to close Thursday
January 28, 2015
HEART OVER HYPE
January 29, 2015
The Terrebonne Council on Aging is holding on to too much money, according to a report released by the State Legislative Auditor.
But the Council on Aging has been saving its cash for a grand expansion of services, emergency preparedness and construction projects.
The State Legislative Auditor recommended that governmental entities maintain three to six months of their expenditures in the bank, but the Terrebonne Council on Aging has three times that — $15 million.
“I see them holding more money than I expect to see,” said Joy Irwin, director of local government with the State Legislative Auditor. “I would ask why they’re holding so much money.”
The Times asked Diana Edmonson, executive director of the Terrebonne Parish Council on Aging, and were told: “We’ve been saving!”
A big expenditure Edmonson said the council has been saving for is the construction of a new Adult Day Care. Preliminary architectural plans are sitting on her desk right now that may
have living quarters on the second floor to house volunteers in case of another devastating storm such as hurricanes Katrina or Rita.
Edmonson also described the need to improve drainage at the Terrebonne Senior’s Park and Garden, located behind the Shady Acres Senior Center and Elderly Housing complex on West Main Street in Houma. The park floods and trespassers have been swimming in a retention pond there despite posted signs.
That project will cost close to $1 million, Edmonson said.
Power generators will also be installed at a number of Council on Aging locations, including the Shady Acres Senior Center, their warehouse for storing emergency food stock and at the Shriever Senior Center.
Edmonson said the Senior Centers in Chauvin and Shriever also need some attention, and will be getting repainted with a protective coating.
But not all of that money is slated to be spent on improvement programs. A portion of the cash on hand is considered dedicated funds.
For example, $1.9 million is dedicated to disaster preparedness, including the deductibles the council would have to pay should it have to file insurance claims in the event of a catastrophe like another devastating storm, Edmonson explained.
“In fact, our [accountant] said we should possibly put more money into that account,” she said.
Edmonson said services will soon be greatly expanded. Respite services, offering caretakers an eight-hour break from caring for bedridden or very disabled family members will be offered once a week as opposed to once a month as it is currently.
The council will also add dental care assistance to its already long list of senior services, said Edmonson. The amount of financial assistance may be determined in an individual’s income based on a sliding scale.
The council is currently working out cooperative deals with dental health providers and hope to have the program in place by July 1.
Another large project in the works is the search for a new kitchen for the Meals on Wheels program, Edmonson said. The Council on Aging provides nearly 700 meals a day to seniors living in Terrebonne Parish, all cooked by inmates at the Terrebonne Parish Jail.
Edmonson wouldn’t elaborate on the reason. ‘
The council will also be investing its surplus funds into developing a new website and an electronic billboard for its main office on Tunnel i Boulevard.
Terrebonne Council on Aging employee Clinton Cunningham, 44, hands Charles Williams, 77, a prepared meal. The council delivers meals to nearly 700 elderly residents a day. The State Legislative Auditor has accused the agency of stockpiling too much money. The COA has $15 million in its coffers.
Raymond Howard, 89, of Houma, accepts an electric heater on behalf of his wife, Ruby. The Terrebonne Council on Aging purchased 60 heaters with grants provided by the Bayou Foundation and Entergy. COA driver Ola Thibodaux and volunteer Charles Gaiennie are also pictured.
