On Wednesday, June 4, Deanna Rice, Executive Director of the Region 8 Senior Centers, convened a roundtable discussion with city and county officials to address the pressing financial challenges facing local senior centers.
Attendees included Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black, City Recorder/Treasurer Joy Maly, Scott County Judge Brian Jones, District JP Bob Hattabaugh, and candidate for State Representative for Arkansas House District 52, Mike Jones. The discussion highlighted the critical funding shortfalls that senior centers are currently experiencing.
Mike Jones inquired of the myriad of problems contributing to the overall hardships the centers are facing. “I think that there was a lot of money spent in places where it would have been better served to have helped our seniors,” stated the political hopeful.
Deanna Rice noted that when she began working in the field two decades ago, state and federal grants covered between 50–66% of the budget. Today, that funding has dwindled to just 42%, leaving local centers struggling to maintain essential services. “Our cities like Mansfield have been very supportive of us,” said Rice, expressing gratitude for municipal assistance but emphasizing that the financial gap remains a growing concern.
The impact of budget cuts has forced difficult decisions, including turning away seniors seeking meals due to a lack of available food. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue, increasing the number of people relying on senior centers as they feared leaving their homes. While temporary pandemic-related funds helped support operations, the Sebastian County senior centers never shut down, continuing to distribute food and even hosting socially distanced activities such as bingo in the parking lot. However, inflation has continued to drive up costs, with no corresponding increase in funding.
Scott County Judge Brian Jones echoed Deanna Rice’s concerns, reaffirming his commitment to supporting his constituents. “My number one priority is helping the citizens of my county,” stated Jones. Jones discussed potential funding options through state initiatives and budget negotiations. Judge Jones also expressed a willingness to explore further solutions.
State Representative Zack Gramlich, representing District 50, which includes Sebastian County, acknowledged the scope of the issue, stating that senior center funding is a statewide challenge. “We have to figure this out at fiscal session,” said Gramlich. “We need to find the money to bridge the gap… this is an emergency, and we as legislators need to stop talking about it and take action.”
Senator Terry Rice, known for his longstanding advocacy for seniors, underscored the importance of finding solutions to keep senior centers operational. Senator Rice pointed out that keeping seniors active within their communities and ensuring they receive regular meals is a significantly more cost-effective approach than transitioning them into nursing homes. “Any nation that does not take care of its seniors is making a statement about its values as a whole,” the senator concluded.
As local and state officials continue discussions on funding solutions, senior centers remain hopeful that urgent action will be taken to ensure that these vital community hubs can continue serving those who rely on them.
Contact information for legislators in our coverage area:
Arkansas State Senator: District 5
Terry Rice – (R)
479-637-3100
[email protected]
Arkansas State Senator: District 27
Justin Boyd – (R)
(479) 262-2156
[email protected]
Arkansas State Senate: District 26
Gary Stubblefield – (R)
479-635-4314
[email protected]
Arkansas State House District 52
Marcus E. Richmond – (R)
479-299-4416
[email protected]
Arkansas State House District 46
Jon S. Eubanks – (R)
479-438-0533
[email protected]
Arkansas State House District 47
Lee Johnson – (R)
(479) 883-6393
[email protected]
Arkansas State House District 51
Cindy Crawford – (R)
(479) 883-1667
Arkansas State House District 51
Cindy Crawford – (R)
(479) 883-1667
[email protected]
Arkansas State House District 50
Zack Gramlich – (R)
[email protected]
Editor’s note: We have reached out to District 27 Senator Justin Boyd (R) but have not received a response as of press time. We will update the story in the event we do receive a response.
