Jackson County veterans office reports staffing pressures, distributes 15,840 flags for county cemeteries

The Jackson County Veterans Affairs semiannual report to the Human Services Committee on Thursday detailed staffing and service pressures, outreach numbers and a large flag distribution for county cemeteries.

The veterans director said one board member notified the office that he must resign because of a terminal cancer diagnosis; staff had received an application from a potential replacement the morning of the meeting. The director also reported the American Legion—s on-site service day in the county has been reduced from two-and-a-half days to one day per week because the organization is experiencing volunteer shortages and potential state grant issues.

Operational numbers cited by the director included 1,839 phone calls (about 306 per month in the reporting period) and 489 appointments and visits. The office said it is coordinating walk-ins but attempts to schedule most visits to provide a —one-stop shop— experience. The director expressed concern about recent reductions in regional training and accreditation support from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and national groups, which may affect local staff accreditation and grant access.

The office purchased and distributed 15,840 flags for county cemeteries; the director said the county paid roughly $14,000 for the flags (noting a per-flag bulk rate) and that neighboring counties sometimes request to buy flags through Jackson County because of the county—s purchasing arrangement. The committee voted to receive the semiannual report.