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Bay County to lean on VA's Vet Lift program as local drivers leave; officials plan phased transition
Summary
Committee members reported the county has begun using the VA's Vet Lift transport service and plans a phased shift as several county volunteer drivers depart; Vet Lift is federally funded and requires about 72 hours' notice for rides.
Bay County officials reported May 20 they have started using the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Vet Lift program to provide rides for veterans and expect to rely more on the federal service as county volunteer drivers leave.
The committee was told Vet Lift is federally funded and has operated successfully for two years; staff said the county can refer veterans to the Vet Lift line and continue limited in-house rides while monitoring staffing. The service officer said Bay County riders have already transitioned in some cases and praised Vet Lift's customer service.
The committee also discussed driver staffing: Pat Banigan, a county volunteer driver, formally resigned, and another driver has an expected leave date in September. Staff said they currently maintain three days of in-house service (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday) but expect to phase out additional county coverage between now and September if departures continue. The service officer said that, should only one driver remain and further departures occur, the county would have to reassess how many days it can staff in-house.
Committee members emphasized they will continue to help veterans enroll in Vet Lift and to assist with scheduling and logistics. Staff described Vet Lift's typical scheduling window as three days (72 hours) in advance; there are exceptions for urgent needs. Riders receive appointment reminders by mail, phone, or electronic means, staff said.
A committee member said a bill has been introduced in the state house to restore full funding to the related program, but staff said they had not seen legislative movement on that proposal as of the meeting.
The committee did not take a formal vote on the transition plan; members said they will continue to monitor vehicle condition, staffing, and federal program capacity as the county integrates Vet Lift into its transportation options.
