EASTON, MARYLAND — The Talbot County Council is scheduled to consider a $74,368 consulting proposal tonight to study whether the county should take over all the duties Upper Shore Aging now carries out for older Talbot residents.
Upper Shore Aging is the state-designated Area Agency on Aging for the Mid-Shore region. It runs both of Talbot's senior centers, Brookletts Place and the Bay Hundred Senior Center, according to a Nov. 2 memo from County Manager Clay B. Stamp.
Stamp recommends awarding two contracts to MGT Management Consulting without competitive bidding, for a combined $164,118 from the county's contingency fund. He wrote that the projects came up outside the regular budget process.
| Study | Cost | Length in proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility study, senior programming services | $74,368 | 10 weeks |
| Senior housing support services action plan | $89,750 | 12 weeks |
| Total | $164,118 |
The first study would weigh the benefits and implications of the county assuming Upper Shore Aging's duties. MGT's proposal says it would figure out what the county would need, in money and operations, to provide at least the services residents get today, and compare staying in the regional model, a county-run model and options short of full separation. It would end with a presentation to the council at a public work session.
The second study was requested through the council-appointed Senior Citizens Task Force. It would produce an action plan in three areas: services that help seniors stay in their homes, short-term and low-barrier shelter, and affordable senior housing.
The county first sought bids for the senior programming study. In an Oct. 21 memo, Stamp recommends the council reject the only bid received, $25,000 from Community to Community LLC, because, he wrote, the vendor "does not have demonstrated or relevant experience that aligns with the scope of work." He picked MGT after consulting Frederick County, which is using the firm for similar work with its senior services agency, and wrote that MGT is familiar with Maryland Department of Aging requirements.
The county's contingency report, certified Nov. 5, shows $2,962,468 available of a $3,000,000 contingency budget for the fiscal year.
The council meets at 5 p.m. at the Talbot County Courthouse, 11 North Washington Street, Easton. Public comment is on the agenda.
Source: Talbot County
Drawn from public records; drafted with AI and edited by Peter Gorman before publication.
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