With the financial foundation of the Emporia Senior Center less than stable, the Board of Directors convened an emergency meeting Monday evening to explore any and all options available to avoid dissolving the agency.
Senior Center Director Ian Boyd has stated the financial issues stem from a number of factors including the embezzlement of over $100,000 from prior Director Lannie Lyman, equipment failures, COVID-19, inflation and low attendance. During the meeting, the board formally approved the layoff of all employees, including Boyd, effective Nov. 2.
The board also approved using funds from the center’s now-terminated account with the Emporia Community Foundation to cover payroll for all employees for the most recent pay period. Boyd says he has chosen to remain on as a “voluntary director and CEO” effective Nov. 3 with the possibility of back-pay if funds were to become available in the future.
Boyd will also maintain his role as board chairman.
As previously mentioned, the board is exploring a number of options to help address the ever-growing financial issues facing the agency. One of those options as presented Monday by Keller and Williams Realty of Olathe is the potential leasing or sale of the property.
If the board chooses to lease the property, it could result in an annual revenue of $300,000. Sale of the property either with a tennant or without would range from $1.5 to $3.1 million in funds for the agency.
Boyd tells KVOE News he is hoping to receive “comparables” from other companies before locking into a formal agreement with Keller Williams. Griffin Johns of Keller Williams says if the center were to enter into a contract with their company, they have pledged to donate a percentage of their commission back to the Senior Center.
Boyd says another potential option would be to mortgage the park located on the senior center property, however, that is in the early stages of discussion. When asked what he feels is the ideal solution Boyd responded saying “it is too early to tell.”
Boyd adds there have been rumblings of the board dissolving the agency outright. He says dissolution is “on the back burner” as a last resort.
As of Monday, the majority of services and activities have been suspended. Hermes Healthcare, which previously provided services out of the senior center, has now moved the Lee Beran Recreation Center according to Boyd.
Hermes patients will need to schedule appointments by calling Hermes directly at 316-260-4110.
The Senior Center Board of Directors will reconvene for a study meeting at 7 pm Tuesday evening. No agenda has been made available, however, Boyd tells KVOE the meeting is mainly for the purpose of defining his schedule and responsibilities as a voluntary director.
