As Churchill County seeks to increase service offerings for seniors in the community, Bus Scharmann has started as the county’s interim manager for the Pennington Life Center.
He spent his first morning meeting with Senior Coalition Board members and staff discussing the transition of services and jobs to the county.
Discussion of the transition of services and jobs from the Senior Coalition Board to Churchill County has begun with increased services scheduled for July 1.
The Churchill County Commissioners held a meeting earlier this month to tab Scharmann as the center’s interim manager.
According to the county, employees will maintain employment with the Senior Coalition on a short-term basis until job descriptions are approved by the commissioners, and positions are recruited, interviewed and offered to the best candidates. During discussion at the commission and Senior Coalition Board meetings, many of the successful candidates will be those who have been serving in similar positions at the Life Center.
All current Life Center programs will be maintained moving beyond July 1 including congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, homemaker and other activities.
Churchill County will introduce increased services July 1 that include: health services; access to resource officers who will provide support and information to help seniors in our community remain independent and active; and open the doors at 7 a.m. on weekdays for morning coffee.
The county will announce additional services and offerings in the future.
The Life Center was built in 2017 as a joint project between the William N. Pennington Foundation, Senior Coalition, Churchill County and the city of Fallon to support an active, positive lifestyle for our community’s senior population. Operational funding for this program has been provided jointly from Churchill County and the City of Fallon along with federally supported grant funds. These funding sources will remain the same moving forward under county management.
As discussed at their meetings this month, the Senior Coalition Board and Churchill County will continue to work closely together beyond July 1. The Coalition will serve as an advisory board to the operations of the Life Center and work cooperatively with the interim manager to identify and pursue private nonprofit funds to support specific expansion opportunities.
