Title
Resolution to Approve Adding a 1.0 Full Time Equivalent Position to Parks and Recreation for the Ann Arbor Senior Center Utilizing Funds from the Washtenaw County Older Persons Millage (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to add a Full Time Equivalent Position for the Ann Arbor Senior Center utilizing funds from the Washtenaw County Older Persons Millage.
Background: In November 2024, Washtenaw County voters approved Proposal 3, which establishes an older persons services millage, that increases the property tax rate by 0.50 mill from 2024 to 2031. The millage is estimated to raise more than $11 million in 2025. The funding raised by the millage will be allocated to activities and services for persons age 60 and older in Washtenaw County. The Ann Arbor Senior Center is a qualifying center that provides activities and services for persons age 60 and older in Washtenaw County.
Initially, ten senior centers in Washtenaw County were selected to receive $200,000.00 to support operations, programming and improvements. The Ann Arbor Senior Center was included in the initial 10 senior centers. As an identified senior center that will be receiving funding from the millage, there will be ongoing funding for the length of the millage. On September 2, 2025, City Council accepted and appropriated the city’s first allocation from these county funds (R-25-327).
During various meetings and townhalls about the millage, additional staffing at the Ann Arbor Senior Center was identified as a significant need to meet the goals of the millage by staff, users and community members. By providing an additional full-time employee, the center will not only be able to provide more opportunities and programs but also have consistent staffing for relationship building and support within the senior community. As such, staff are seeking approval by Council to use a portion of the funding to cover the salary for a soon to be created senior focused recreation coordinator position. This will necessitate an increase in the City’s FTE count by 1.
The Park Advisory Commission unanimously recommended utilizing these funds and adding an FTE for the Ann Arbor Senior Center at their November 18th, 2025 meeting.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: This position shall be paid for from the revenue received from the Washtenaw County Older Persons Millage funding.
Staff
Prepared by: Josh Landefeld, Parks & Recreation Services Manager
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Service Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Washtenaw County voters approved Proposal 3, which establishes an older persons services millage;
Whereas, The Ann Arbor Senior Center was included in the initial 10 senior centers to receive $200,000.00 annually to support operations, programming, and improvements;
Whereas, City Council accepted and approved an agreement accepting the grant via Resolution R-25-327;
Whereas, Staffing has been identified as a key need for the Ann Arbor Senior Center to accomplish the goals of the county millage at the center;
Whereas, This position will be funded entirely by the Washtenaw County Older Persons Millage; and
Whereas, The Park Advisory Commission unanimously recommended utilizing these funds and adding an FTE for the Ann Arbor Senior Center at their November 18th, 2025 meeting;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the addition of 1.0 FTE to the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department Fiscal Year 2026 budget;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the increase of the City’s full-time equivalent positions by 1.0 (one), making the new total 865 full-time equivalent positions; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all appropriate actions to implement this resolution.