Geary County Senior Center officials are asking the Junction City Commission for funding help in 2018.

Frank Catalo, Senior Center Board President,  has submitted a funding request of $25,000 to the City for 2018. “We’re just asking for a little bit of help. As you know there’s been some talk about cutting some funds with the state, and also cutting some funds with the federal government. ” Catalo added that’s why he had requested the funds,  so if there are any cuts the Senior Center would able to compensate for them.

Commissioner Pat Landes said they are supportive of the Senior Center activities, but he pointed out that is a Geary County facility.”The county receives their tax funds from the entire county, including Junction City so to ask the residents of Junction City to pay twice for the same center I have a problem with. Plus I believe that unfortunately could become a recurring request each year.”

Landes also asked,  what would stop other groups from making similar requests, saying he believes the city needs to be careful about those type of things.

City Manager Allen Dinkel did not include funding for the Senior Center in the proposed city budget he submitted to the Junction City Commission. “I think Commissioner Landes said it’s a county funded operation, and we always got to remember that 78 percent of the county taxes are paid by property tax owners within the city.”

The City Commission is still in the process of preparing the 2018 Junction City budget.