One of the longest-serving members of the county Commission on Aging board was taken by surprise when he learned that mileage reimbursements for homemakers hired by the CoA had been intentionally inflated.

But he’s hopeful that the agency comes through a shake-up in administration stronger than ever.

“Heck, ya, it was like, bang!” said Brad Saxton, chair of the CoA board and a nineyear member. “I had no idea that was going on. It was quite a thing to get hit with.”

During the last month, the mileage flap led to the early retirements of former CoA director Rosie Steffens and administrative assistant Madonna Jackson. Services are now being overseen by a skeleton staff of one full-time administrator and two parttime secretaries.

Saxton expects the CoA board to play an important role in an impending review of CoA services.

“I think we have a real good bunch of people working there, and I think it was a surprise to them, too. We have three girls trying to do the work of five people now. I think it will turn out good — or it could even be stronger after awhile,” Saxton said.