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Van Buren County veterans office reports cut to state grant; dental and relief programs face reductions
Summary
Veterans services staff told commissioners that a state grant cut of $27,528 will reduce some program allocations and that the office expects its dental assistance line to be exhausted within months without additional funding.
Van Buren County’s veterans services director briefed commissioners about a recent reduction in state grant funds that will affect program allocations for the current fiscal year.
Staff said the county’s share of a grant from the state veterans funding program (referred to in the meeting as an MBAA grant) was reduced by $27,528. The office has used fundraising and other local sources to absorb some program costs: staff reported raising roughly $22,000 last year for the emotional service animal (ESA) program and that the veterans millage can cover outreach and some advertising needs.
Program impacts spelled out during the briefing included a reduced relief budget (reported as a decrease from about $10,000 to $8,005.65) and the oral health (dental) assistance program that staff expects could exhaust its current funds as early as May or June unless further funding is allocated. Staff reported the dental program spent about $8,000 in February and has already served roughly 77 veterans this fiscal year.
The director said the office will not schedule new dental appointments while current funds last; appointments already scheduled at the time of the meeting would be honored. Staff recommended avoiding the use of millage money to backfill the dental program immediately and instead attempt to have the state agency (the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency/MVAA) or MBAA restore or reallocate funds; staff also said they will consider internal reallocation later in the fiscal year if necessary.
Other items covered in the briefing: the office will issue its first ESA for the fiscal year that Friday through a partner that provides trained companion/service dogs; the office continues transportation support (reported as 14 rides in February) and is pursuing veteran housing collaborations with the City of Decatur. Staff asked commissioners to be ready with talking points for upcoming legislative outreach in Lansing.
Commissioners thanked veterans services staff for fundraising and for structuring programs so the county did not have to immediately cut positions or core services. The briefing did not include a formal board vote; staff framed the update as informational and asked for guidance on advocacy and possible internal budget adjustments.
