Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veterans Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Delta County rescinds recent veterans‑affairs committee appointments, names interim director and reopens applications
Summary
After a public complaint about how the county veterans‑affairs committee was assembled, the Delta County Board of Commissioners rescinded newly made committee appointments, authorized an interim director to cover emergency relief, and directed staff to repost committee openings for the required 30‑day public notice period.
The Delta County Board of Commissioners on March 4 voted to rescind recent appointments to the county Veterans Affairs Committee, appoint an interim department director and reopen the application period after a public complaint questioned the selection process.
A resident, Gary Gustafson of Ensign Township, told commissioners during public comment that he had obtained records through a Freedom of Information request indicating notifications to veteran service organizations and an official newspaper posting had not been handled in accordance with the statutory requirements. “I have a complaint about how the Veterans Affairs Committee was selected,” Gustafson said at the meeting.
The board moved to rescind the appointments to the Veterans Affairs Committee and to repost the openings under the notice rules identified in state law. Commissioners also appointed Veterans Service Officer Dave Xavier as interim director to ensure continuity of services while the committee reselection is completed.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the action is intended to correct procedural gaps and protect the county from legal exposure while maintaining service to veterans. The board directed staff to follow the public‑notice requirements under the applicable Michigan statutes and the county’s process for advisory committee appointments.
What the board did and why it matters - Rescinded committee appointments and ordered a new 30‑day public posting so veteran service organizations and the general public have formal notice and an equal opportunity to apply. Commissioners said postings and direct notification of veteran service organizations are required by statute. If no comments are received during the posting period, commissioners agreed in advance to accept the list as presented; if comments arrive, the list will be revisited. - Appointed Dave Xavier as interim director to provide a single county contact for veterans’ needs while the committee is reconstituted. - Authorized the interim director to approve emergency relief payments up to $1,000 per occurrence to avoid service interruptions, and designated Commissioner Jensen as a second signatory for oversight of any emergency disbursement. - Directed that the interim director role end when the committee is formed and its bylaws adopted.
Commissioners emphasized that the interim appointment is intended as a temporary measure so veterans with urgent needs can continue to be served while the county corrects the notice and appointment process. Administrator Ashley Young told the board that without a properly constituted committee the county lacks the formal bylaws and delegated authorities that previously governed emergency relief disbursements. “Those individuals that would have done that were done as of January,” Young said, describing the legal transition that left a temporary gap for certain relief functions.
Hiring process and oversight The board also created a hiring committee for the permanent veterans‑affairs director position. Commissioners named two board members (Commissioners Jensen and Johnson), two veterans from the existing applicant pool, the county administrator and specified that personal contact information would be redacted for privacy when candidate materials are handled by non‑staff participants.
Public comment and board responses Resident Gary Gustafson had urged the board to revisit the appointment process and to ensure full compliance with required advertising and notifications. In discussion, several commissioners defended the good faith of those involved but agreed the legal posting requirements were not followed narrowly enough and that rescinding and reposting was the proper corrective step.
Ending The county will repost the committee openings with a 30‑day comment period and return to the board after that period to confirm appointments. In the meantime, Xavier will act as interim director and may authorize emergency relief up to $1,000 per occurrence with a second signatory, per the board’s direction.
