Back in February the Blue Earth City Council directed staff to compile updated figures and review the proposed $5 per meal charge for both dine in and take out meals for those using a prepaid punch card at the Senior Center.
City Administrator Dawn Collings came back with an update at Monday’s meeting and informed the council that during the review, it was determined that meals paid by Kiwanis were being charged at $6 per meal, while the actual cost is $6.50 per meal. Kiwanis representatives indicated that they will address the discrepancy to ensure members pay the full $6.50 cost when ordering.
A summary of the special fund and meal fund was provided. The meal fund is currently operating at a deficit. Based on 2025 meal counts, revisiting the rate to $5 per meal and charging Kiwanis the full $6.50 cost was estimated to generate approximately $3,000 in additional revenue.
The Senior Center Board discussed the proposed changes but did not support increasing the meal price, noting that the 2026 budget had already been adopted. The Board voted to maintain the $4 per meal charge for dine in and extend the same $4 per meal rate to take out meals purchase with a prepaid punch card.
The Council ultimately voted to leave meal prices unchanged. Take out meals without a punch card will remain at $6.50.
Comments