Return to Press ReleasesRE: Letter to Incorporated Senior Citizens of Sierra CountyEditor:Imagine my surprise reading in the local paper how the City of Loyalton had sent a letter to Incorporated Senior Citizens of Sierra County (the Senior Center) regarding expenses incurred by the City for the Center. As the Executive Director for the past three and a half years, no one from the City had ever mentioned the “Solid Waste Benefit Assessment Tax,” or the need for the Senior Center to pay $3868.02 in a year for this tax. As I am not a resident of Sierra County, I was not aware of such an excessive tax for something not used by this organization. The letter in question was hand delivered to me on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 by two Council Members. (Two days before this was published in the Booster!) I had not heard anything about the property insurance, or the dump assessments prior to the members dropping by. What appeared to be a form letter addressed to ISCSC started with “Dear Recipient.” Our address is 302 First St., not 306 as listed. It refers to Property insurance at $5,752.42, assumed to be an annual assessment. But ISCSC has paid its own property insurance for as many years as I can find records for, at least since 2015. If the City chooses to cover their liability for owning this property, that is not something ISCSC should have to pay additionally for. We have always enjoyed a compatible relationship with the City of Loyalton, as both entities are trying to serve the citizenry with the least cost to residents as costs continue to rise. However, this nearly $10,000 list of expenses, previously unknown and never discussed with staff or Board Members, being brought up in a public meeting, without notice to the Senior Center, feels like we are getting blindsided. The letter concludes with “The City does not expect the above expenses to be paid, but will need to start invoicing the above types of expenses associated with the property going forward. The City thanks you for your understanding as this decision was not made lightly.” What are the “types of expenses,” more than what was listed? As there was no notice to the impacted party of a discussion of this issue, what recourse do we have? ISCSC also operates on a minimal budget, with cuts to the Transportation Program we operate already determined for 23-24 fiscal year. Cuts made to pay these bills from the City will mean a direct impact to the amount of services we can provide, including cuts to the lunch program for seniors. Our services rely on the partnerships we have created through the years, and those partnerships rely on effective communication. I am confident that we can move past this to our mutual benefit. Carolyn Widman Executive Director Incorporated Senior Citizens of Sierra County Loyalton, CA Submitted: 04/13/23 Article By: Sierra Booster |