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Veterans Service Agency amends 2024 budget; aging veterans van likely retired, not replaced
Summary
The committee approved a small 2024 budget amendment for the Veterans Service Agency to cover move-related and vehicle maintenance costs; county and agency officials said the 2016 veterans van (200,000+ miles) will likely be retired and not replaced due to declining ridership and high replacement cost.
Chautauqua County’s Human Services Committee approved a 2024 budget amendment for the Veterans Service Agency to reconcile overspending tied to an office move and vehicle maintenance.
Diana Songer, deputy director of finance for human services, summarized the amendment, which requests an increased use of fund balance of $5,465 and adjustments to appropriation and revenue accounts to offset overspends. Greg Carlson, identified in the record as director of veteran services (transcript reference), said moving into new office space in January 2024 produced unanticipated installation costs, including fiber-optic and electric work.
Carlson said the agency’s veterans van is a 2016 model with more than 200,000 miles and has had increasing maintenance costs; he said staff expect to retire the van on or about June 1 and do not plan to replace it because ridership has declined to roughly a third of historical levels and the county cannot justify the capital and operating costs to match replacement needs.
Carlson and committee members said alternative, case-by-case transportation options will be arranged for veterans who need rides. The committee approved the amendment by voice vote.
