Yerington Senior Center request for additional funding

YERINGTON - Senior citizens here want a larger share of the county's budget.

To support a request for a funding increase, the directors of the Yerington Senior Center will present current operating costs to Lyon County commissioners today.

The Yerington facility runs independently from Lyon County's Silver and Gold senior services programs. According to County Manager Stephen Snyder, each group receives $33,000 a year from county funds.

In his letter of request, Board President Ken Thompson noted the center has not received a budget increase for eight years.

"Our utilities run about $14,000 per year. We have not been able to give our employees a cost-of-living raise in four years," Thompson said.

Comparing meal services rendered, Thompson said that in October 1999 a total of 2,525 meals were served at the Yerington center in addition to 1,627 meals delivered to homebound seniors. A combined total of 3,208 meals and 1,552 home deliveries were made at the Silver and Gold centers in Dayton, Silver Springs and Fernley during the same period of time.

"This is why we are here today asking for an increase in funding for the senior center. Our funding is very limited," Thompson said.

Other agenda items include:

-- Consideration of a letter from the Dayton Regional Advisory Council requesting the county address concerns associated with the Highway 50 Wrecking Yard, and describing it as an eyesore and a public nuisance.

Attending the council's December meeting, Commissioner Bob Milz asked for the Dayton council's help in solving the ongoing controversy by sending a letter of complaint to county officials.

"I would like you to ask the commissioners to have the guts to take care of the problem once and for all," Milz said. "I will help any way I can, but it is up to the board to file a complaint."

Finding a party to take responsibility for cleaning up the site has been a source of disagreement between county and state officials for several years.

The Lyon County Commissioners meet at the Courthouse Annex, 31 S. Main St., Yerington, at 9 a.m. Call 577-5037 (Dayton/Silver Springs) or 463-6531.