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Delta County creates Veterans Affairs director post, approves clerk and board appointments
Summary
The Delta County Board of Commissioners approved creating a Veterans Affairs director position with salary up to $64,000, authorized recruitment, approved a part‑time Veterans Affairs clerk at $18/hour, restructured the veteran service officer role, and appointed five members to a new Veterans Affairs committee with staggered expiration dates.
The Delta County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 4 to create a Veterans Affairs director position, authorize recruitment for the role and approve several related hires and appointments.
The board approved a job description and a recommended salary “up to $64,000” for the new director, and granted permission to fill the role through the county’s hiring procedures. The motion passed with the recorded voice vote, "All in favor? Aye. Anybody opposed? Motion passed." Administrator Young and the finance committee had recommended the position following approval of a millage to fund expanded veteran services.
Commissioners also approved a part‑time Veterans Affairs clerk as a grant position, to be posted at $18 per hour for approximately 18 hours per week. The job description was amended to mark the post non‑exempt. The board moved to post the job immediately and the motion passed.
The board approved an updated job description and pay scale for the county’s Veteran Service Officer (VSO) to shift duties toward assisting the new director; commissioners noted the position is not currently vacant. A motion to approve the VSO changes passed.
Separately, the board appointed representatives to a newly formed Veterans Affairs committee. The appointments and expiration dates approved were: - District 1: Benjamin Prole, term to expire 12/31/2026 - District 2: Gary Maynard, term to expire 12/31/2026 - District 3: Carlton Isaacson, term to expire 12/31/2027 - District 4: Calvin Smythe, term to expire 12/31/2027 - District 5: Steven Caturney, term to expire 12/31/2028 The board also moved to send thank‑you letters to the members of the prior Soldier and Sailors Relief board and to update rules and procedures templates to reflect the new committee.
Public comment preceding the votes included Richard Clark of Escanaba, who urged that the current acting Veterans Service Officer, Dave Devore, be expedited for elevation to director and praised Devore’s outreach and van‑transport volunteer work for veterans. At the Feb. 4 meeting Steven Kucharney later urged commissioners during general public comment to appoint David Xavier (referred to by the speaker) directly rather than requiring him to apply; commissioners and administration responded that the county must follow equal‑opportunity hiring procedures.
The board’s verbal record shows commissioners emphasized that, while members expressed support for current staff, the county must follow its standard hiring process and allow applications and review. Administrator Young said applications will be reviewed after two weeks and that the county will begin interviewing thereafter.
The board’s action establishes the Veterans Affairs department structure and moves the county to recruit and staff the positions funded by the recently passed millage.
