Placer County responds to grand jury Costco criticism

September 30, 2014

Auburn Journal

By Gus Thomson

Could Seniors First be in line for Placer County funding to aid its move from county-owned property now being eyed by Costco for a North Auburn store?

Released in July, the Placer County grand jury report recommended the use of funds put aside from leases and rents at the county owned Placer County Government Center to help offset the cost of the non-profit Seniors First relocation.

The Board of Supervisors approved a response without discussion at its Sept. 23 meeting indicating it was willing to have the county consider the recommendation.

The response, which was due to be made by the end of September, states that the recommendation “requires further analysis.”

Seniors First, which had been at the government center location, has received no funding to assist in its move to an office-professional building on Locksley Lane, Executive Director Jamee Horning said Monday. The county is negotiating with Costco for a long-term lease at the government center and is not renewing the Seniors First lease past this year.

Seniors First has funded its move by itself, party through donations.

“We have heard of nothing yet (n county assistance) but we are hopeful,” Horning said.

The organization employs 30 and has a volunteer force of 375. It provides a variety of programs and services to seniors, their families and caregivers. Programs include senior nutrition, Meals on Wheels, transportation services, assisted living placement and safety repairs.

Seniors First made its move to the new location in mid-September but is continuing to operate its kitchen at Placer County Government Center.

Candace Roeder, Seniors First chief strategic officer and founder, said that move costs have been partly offset by in-kind contributions. The donations have ranged from new carpet to blinds and total about $50,000, Horning said.

But the costs still ahead to relocate the kitchen are daunting, at about $100,000, Roeder said.

Seniors First has asked for assistance and while the Multipurpose Senior Center has been pledged $530,000 by Costco for its move, there has been no indication of any other financial help, she said.

The Board of Supervisors response acknowledges that there was once a DeWitt Development Enterprise Fund, with about $1.2 million in it but states that it no longer exists.

“In its place, an internal services fund (for the government center) has been established,” the response states. “The reserves noted in the report have been shifted to the new fund for the purpose of capital projects on the campus. The county will take into consideration the grand jury’s recommendations and continue to review current fiscal policies.”