Senior Millage discussion and data shared at February Board meeting

Casco residents age 60 and up can participate in programs offered by Senior Services of Van Buren County

The February 16 meeting of the Casco Township Board of Trustees was "business as usual" with the return of Supervisor Allan Overhiser following an absence in January due to illness.

At the January Board meeting, action on the senior millage renewal language was delayed on a motion from Trustee Dan Fleming who described the proposed wording as "too vague."

Supervisor Overhiser brought the matter up as old business, with Trustee Dan Fleming explaining his thinking. "I think the senior center is a nice place. I don't care how other municipalities do things; since I'm a Casco Township trustee, I'm concerned about how it's happening here." He wondered if the decision to put the senior millage on the ballot could be rescinded.

Supervisor Overhiser responded by acknowledging that the Board had already approved putting language on the ballot and it would be a legal question to ask of the Township attorney to determine if the Board had discretion to reverse the decision.

Fleming had three primary reasons for being against a senior millage. He felt that the board made the decision because a crowd showed up at the December meeting, implying that the decision was made only because "most people were for it, so we need to move forward with it." He went on to argue that "bending to a vocal audience" is not the way Township decisions should be made, although he acknowledged that as"people come to meetings, we need to hear what they say."

His second point of contention was that, by placing the renewal on the ballot, the Board was letting "the people decide."

Fleming argued that "we pledge allegiance to a republic; letting people decide is more like a democracy." Quoting John Adams and referring to other founding fathers, Fleming argued that this is a Republic and, by implication, should be run like one.

Third, Fleming cited the July Township newsletter and the activities listed for Casco seniors. He questioned why the Township had a millage for these services. Referring to a quote in the newsletter article that compared Senior Services of Van Buren County to "an adult Disneyland," Fleming felt the services were too much like entertainment and should not be funded by tax dollars.

In response, Clerk Rachel Ridley said although the crowd was big for the meeting that determined whether or not the senior millage should be put up for renewal, "I haven't felt pressured to vote."

She said she is shaped by the seniors she sees coming to programs at the Township Hall. "At the Christmas party, seniors were in tears because they're so happy to be here."

Trustee Mary Campbell argued in favor of the activities. "Socialization and getting out is important, especially for people who live alone. For a lot of people who go..., it is their only source of socialization. Casco seniors are not necessarily living near extended family. I've not felt pressure from people who come to meetings," she added.

Supervisor Overhiser address the technical question of putting the millage on the ballot. "The reason it has to go on the ballot is because we can't put a tax on people. It's not centralized government. The people have to tax themselves. The people want it--they vote for it. It's not like they're paying for something they don't want."

He went on to say that it would take just 98 signatures to validate a petition to go on the ballot. "This is not a new millage. It's the same language from 2022, before our contract with Van Buren County. 'To provide senior services' language is in line with what we've historically done."

He reminded the public that the senior millage "started in 1994, and every 4 years it gets renewed. Historically, it gets renewed. It is a long standing program."

Overhiser offered, "if we can keep them out of a nursing home for a month or two," it is well worth it for a Casco senior.

Overhiser continued, "I don't think we're doing anything that violates the constitution by putting this on the ballot. There were people who thought the constitution was victimizing them--if you want to go back to the Constitutional Convention, tyranny has a lot of different definitions."

Fleming again pushed for different wording.

Overhiser replied, "Ballot proposals shouldn't be biased. Our lawyer has constructed this language similar to every other ballot proposal on this table."

Campbell argued, "The newsletter is a marketing piece. The ballot proposal is not a marketing statement."

Overhiser responded, "People understand what it is. Not everyone votes for it."

Ridley spoke again. "As a homeschooling parent, I pay for school taxes. It's for the greater good. I feel the same way about senior services; I think in terms of the greater good. It's not different than paying taxes for other things I don't use."

Overhiser offering a closing comment. "I have faith in the people. I have faith that if they want it, they will vote for it. If they don't understand, they're probably going to vote no."

Diane Rigozzi, Executive Director of Senior Services of Van Buren County, asked to speak. "I do say 'adult Disneyland,' but I say that to the staff. Disneyland has a wonderful way of training their staff," which Rigozzi seeks to emulate. "The staff is not to bring their worries to the seniors."

Campbell moved to accept the ballot resolution, supported by Ridley. In a roll call vote, Overhiser, Ridley, and Campbell voted yes. Fleming voted no.

Earlier in the meeting, Senior Services Advisory Committee Chair Linda Teeter presented a report to the board. She said there is "lots of joy" expressed by participants who participate in senior program activities.

Activities led by staff from Senior Services of Van Buren County and currently underway at the Casco Township Hall include:

Monday	11:00 am to 12 noon	Cardio Drumming with Rhonda
Monday	2:00 pm to 3:00 pm	Cards with refreshments
Thursday	11:00 am to 12 noon	Chair Yoga with Deanne
Thursday	12 noon to 3:00 pm	Bingo (first, second, & fourth Thursdays)
Thursday	12 noon	Crafting (third Thursday)
Friday	11:00 am to 12 noon	Tai Chi Classes

Chair Teeter also presented statistics for the month of January 2026:

Unduplicated seniors at Casco site	12
Unduplicated seniors at South Haven	124
Casco activities	73	1,394 total
South Haven activities	825	16,823 total
Unduplicated Casco seniors (total)	127	2,266
Number of activities (total)	902	18,723

Director Diane Rigozzi provided a report of Township statistics comparing engagement pre- and post-covid. The South Haven Senior Center building in the former Village Market opened in 2022, marking another big difference between the two time periods. Selected Townships are shown here, with Casco Township not becoming an official member of the SSVBC program area until 2024:

1/1/2016 - 12/31/2019

3/1/2022 - 12/31/2025

	Unduplicated membership	Total activities attended	Total meals served	Care coordination client	Unduplicated membership	Total activities attended	Total meals served	Care coordination client
Casco	43	715	246	3	576	35,255	9,580	63
Geneva	73	1,452	652	54	519	64,066	18,246	230
SH City	402	7,259	2,581	90	1,850	202,083	58,071	523
SH Twp	218	5,805	2,402	80	1,047	139,288	40,393	399

Although "Care coordination" is displayed on the above table, personal help services for Casco Township residents are predominantly provided by Allegan County through a voted, county-wide senior millage.

Personal help services such as home delivered meals, adult day care, senior transportation, and essential in-home support, can be accessed by calling the Allegan County Senior Services at 269-673-3333.

In public comment at the close of the February board meeting, Casco resident Lisa Tuohy of 7266 Elm Street addressed the senior millage matter. She acknowledged the extensive discussion prior to placing it on the ballot. She affirmed that residents vote for members of the board and "they're here to let you know how they feel."

Treasurer Kenny Clevenger was absent from the February Township board meeting due to illness.

The March Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Monday March 16 at 7:00 pm at the Casco Township Hall, 7104 107th Avenue.

Note: Julie Cowie, Founder/Editor of Casco Township News, is the Casco representative to the board of Senior Services of Van Buren County. She is also a member of the Casco Senior Advisory Committee.