Senior Center faces $30,000 drop in budget for 2021

The Blaine Senior Center faces a $30,000 drop in its budget next year, and though the center has saved money by being closed since March 12, that cut will have an impact, director Kathy Sitker said.

The city of Blaine, in its preliminary 2021 general fund budget, allocated no funding for the senior center. In past years the city has allocated $60,000 to the senior center.

The city council did, however, allocate $30,000 from its federal CARES Act funds to the senior center. The city is expected to adopt a final 2021 budget on December 14.

“I understand why the city had to go through the budget process they went through. I get it,” Sitker said, adding, “We’ve just been very frugal. We’re still going to be short.”

While operating costs at the senior center have dropped due to the lack of programs, taking care of the building and keeping up with other tasks does cost money, Sitker said.

Sitker still works on Meals on Wheels, and a Whatcom Council on Aging employee works out of the Blaine Senior Center, and the senior center donates toward her salary on a monthly basis.

“We’ve had savings. The city gives us money every month. I was still getting that money even though my staff was not here, so I made sure to put that money aside,” Sitker said.

Sitker said she continues to see most senior center members. Nearly 80 of them come on Wednesdays to pick up weekly meals and others call occasionally to ask for help or just to chat, which Sitker welcomes.

“They are doing fine. They are getting lonely and that is the big thing about the senior center – it’s the social interaction they need,” Sitker said. “Please call, I’m here to help any way I can. If I can’t see them and I can’t hug them at least I can talk to them on the phone.”

The center officially closed on March 12 and plans to remain closed until phase 4 of Washington’s Safe Start plan.