MALONE -- A $64,000 budget shortfall is freezing nutrition programs for senior citizens in Franklin County for the final six months of 2008.

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But no new people will be accepted into the programs, even though there are waiting lists for each one.

EARLIER ERRORS

Budgeting mistakes, price increases and poor inter-agency communication has left the county's Association of Senior Citizens Inc. nearly $64,000 short in its food-purchase budget, according to a recent audit.

The association contracts through the Office for the Aging to bring the food-related programs and services to the senior clients.

The shortfall pre-dates the term of Office of the Aging Director Susan Scott, but she has found a solution to close the budget gap, even though it is not her agency's problem.

However, giving the money to the association means certain programming will lose some of its money.

PROGRAMS LOSE FUNDS

The federal and state portions of Scott's budget cannot be touched, but the county funds can.

Scott will take $6,400 from the Lifeline emergency-telephone program, which leaves 20 people on a waiting list, unable to obtain services for the rest of the year.

Another $4,800 will be taken from a home-repair program that ensures safety measures are improved at senior citizens' houses.

Scott said $21,000 will be removed from the respite program that gives caregivers a break from their duties.

The largest portion will be $30,886 from two levels of personal-care programs. One provides light housekeeping and dish-washing chores and the other more-personal care, such as assistance to seniors with bathing or getting dressed.

Scott said all of those services are designed to help seniors remain in their own homes as long as they can without having to move into a nursing home or other long-term facility.