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Veterans services seeks more flexibility in Lawrence budget, aims for VA claims accreditation and additional staff
Summary
Victor Ortega, new director of Veteran Services, asked the council to reclassify roughly $23,000 from reimbursement to purchase‑of‑services for flexibility, discussed pursuing VA claims accreditation and said chapter 115 reimbursements are significant and processed separately by the state.
Victor Ortega, the newly introduced director of Veteran Services, appeared before the Lawrence City Council on May 22 to present his first budget and describe operational priorities, including accreditation to file VA claims locally and adding a part‑time assistant position.
Ortega said the mayor’s recommended budget moves roughly $23,000 from a reimbursement account into the purchase‑of‑services line for the Veterans Office to give the office more flexibility to fund events and program needs such as Memorial Day and beautification efforts. “Moving that to purchase of services under the office of veteran services will give us more flexibility,” Ortega said.
Ortega and Director Martha Velez explained how Chapter 115 reimbursements work. Velez said Chapter 115 payments — the state‑reimbursable program for certain veteran needs — are paid back to the city after the city advances funds and that roughly 75% of Chapter 115 expenditures are reimbursed by the state, with the municipality covering the remaining portion; the record shows a Chapter 115 line consistent with prior reimbursement flows (the transcript referenced a large reimbursable amount in the budget lines).
Ortega described plans to pursue accreditation for the office to file VA claims directly. That, he said, requires training and a new software system; the associated costs are reflected in the Dues and Memberships and software budget lines. “From what I’ve been gathering information will be, the first time in a long time that the office will be able to do VA claims independently,” Ortega said, noting the office will partner with existing regional claim processors as needed.
Councilors asked for detail on modest line‑item changes, such as a small increase in operating supplies to purchase office desks and chairs and a reduction in longevity pay when a qualifying employee left. Councilor Marble asked whether any new services would be added; Ortega said accreditation and improved outreach and home‑visit capacity are priorities and that a part‑time assistant VSO could help cover the office during the director’s absences and expand home visits for homebound veterans.
No formal action was taken on the Veterans Office budget during the hearing. Ortega said he would return with additional data, including a count of veterans served for the fiscal year, at a subsequent meeting.
