Counties scramble after state recalculation of veterans‑service grants; legislators press agency to extend amendment deadline

County veterans service offices told a legislative subcommittee they were blindsided when the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs recalculated the County Veterans Service (CVS) grant fund and asked counties to amend signed grant agreements.

At the hearing, Rochelle Breeden, chief financial officer for the department, said the agency projects fund balances a year in advance and that participation and utilization increased — from roughly 35 counties previously to about 70 counties — which changed the forecast and reduced the available fund balance. Breeden described the variation as the result of increased participation and higher execution of awarded dollars, and said the department is reviewing internal processes to prevent recurrence.

Director Brian Love of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency told lawmakers the department notified county partners as soon as…