Gahanna city leaders say they hope to revise programming in an effort to keep the Gahanna Senior Center and Ohio Herb Education Center open.

The facilities are just a small part of a proposed "Sustainable Operating Model" Gahanna City Council is discussing in preparation for the 2015 budget process that begins in June.

Finance director Jennifer Teal said the senior center and herb center were slated for closure, but the new plan calls for operation modifications.

The cost to operate the senior center exceeds its annual revenue by about $98,000 per year, Teal said.

As an alternative to closing the center altogether, she said, the parks-recreation department will match the net cost of senior programming with additional revenue drivers.

The changes could include consolidating senior programming into fewer days and generating additional revenue by renting the facility for community events and providing fee-based adult and youth programs at the facility.

The model includes transfer of part-time support from recreation to the senior center for the additional programs.

Teal said the cost to operate the herb center exceeds revenue by $5,000 to $20,000 annually.

As an alternative to closing the center, Teal said, the parks-recreation department would adjust its programming and retail operations to increase revenue and reduce expenditures.

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