McLeod County commissioners approved a tentative out-of-state travel request for veteran services officer Grant Christiansen to attend the VFW National Veterans Service accredited representative skill-level training in Annapolis, Maryland, in September 2025 — contingent on his being selected for a scholarship.

County staff said the VFW scholarship, if awarded, would cover travel, lodging, conference fees and per diem; the county’s only expense would be Christiansen’s hourly wage while attending. Staff clarified that if Christiansen is not selected for the scholarship, the county is not requesting permission to send him at county expense.

A commissioner said there was limited time to evaluate the cost-benefit if the scholarship were not awarded but ultimately supported approving the tentative travel. Commissioners voted to approve the request. The approval authorizes tentative travel only if the scholarship covers expenses as described; no additional county funding was committed at the meeting.