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Court discusses making veterans service coordinator position full time contingent on federal disability timing and budget
Summary
County staff reported high workload for the veterans service coordinator (Adam), proposed budgeting a full-time salary contingent on the employee’s federal disability retirement timing and benefit limits, and asked commissioners to budget for potential full-time hire.
County officials told the commissioners that the Young County veterans service coordinator (Adam) is performing substantially more work than a single day per week and proposed budgeting for a full-time position contingent on Adam’s federal disability retirement timing.
Staff said Adam currently works one day per week for the county while employed at the U.S. Postal Service; they logged multiple weeks showing Adam worked 27–38 hours for the county in some weeks while also performing duties in Albany, home visits, and support for veterans accessing benefits. County staff reported receiving numerous letters of appreciation for Adam’s work helping veterans obtain benefits and coordinating with funeral homes, local businesses and other agencies.
County staff proposed budgeting a full-time salary of $39,000, plus a $720 cell-phone allowance, $600 office-supplies estimate, $800 for business travel, $1,800 for education, $500 for miscellaneous, and $1,500 for office equipment and furniture. Staff noted that if Adam accepts a full-time county position while receiving federal disability benefits from his Postal Service employment, his county salary would be limited by federal disability income rules; staff said $39,000 would be a maximum that would not jeopardize disability payments and that Adam may not be immediately able to accept full-time county work until his federal status is resolved.
Why it matters: Expanding the veterans service coordinator to full time could increase the county’s capacity to pursue grants, provide direct benefits assistance, host regional veteran training, and coordinate outreach across neighboring counties. Staff recommended budgeting now so the county can move quickly if and when Adam’s federal disability status allows full-time county employment.
Next steps: Commissioners discussed the proposal and asked staff to incorporate the budget request in upcoming budget planning and to report back on timing and whether Adam’s federal process has concluded so he could accept a full-time role.
