Sumner County veteran service officer asks commission for part‑time help as software change slows reporting

Jorge, the county veteran service officer, told the Sumner County Commission that a statewide change to veterans management software and an ongoing backlog have reduced his office's ability to close cases and serve walk‑in clients.

"The state is changing the veterans management software that we use," Jorge said, and county reports relied on output "pulled from the old software systems." He described a backlog that has cut case‑closure speed to "about a week and a half, 2 weeks." He said the office has continued to assist veterans in urgent circumstances, including arranging temporary lodging for homeless veterans and helping widows who did not realize they were eligible for benefits.

The officer asked the commission to authorize a part‑time veteran service officer to ensure someone is always at the desk for walk‑in clients from the clerk’s office and the VA clinic at Gallup. "We're just asking for your support and go forward in doing that," Jorge said.

The report noted the state rollout is scheduled for May and that staff will need time to learn the new system and to determine what reports will be available once the transition is complete. Jorge said the county has been one of the few offices accepting walk‑ins and emphasized that in‑person help is still needed by many residents who do not know what benefits apply to them.

Commissioners did not record a formal vote on the request during the recorded remarks. Jorge concluded the item by asking for the commission's support; there were no substantive follow‑up actions recorded in the provided transcript.

The commission will consider staffing and budget implications in future agenda items or committee review.