Wayne County committee hears that peacetime veterans' burial grant was cut; officials exploring options

Commissioners discussed a recent, significant reduction in a state grant that supports burial and emergency assistance for peacetime veterans. Philip Whitfield, identified in the record as budget director for management and budget, said the county experienced an abrupt grant cut last year that reduced funding (Whitfield and another staffer referenced a loss in the neighborhood of $500,000). Whitfield and other staff said the peacetime-veterans grant had previously supported emergency services; wartime veteran benefits remain tied to a separate millage.

Commissioners asked whether the county could use opioid settlement funds to help cover the veterans' shortfall. Kamal Kapoor, finance director for Health, Human and Veteran Services, said the opioid settlement funds are legally and administratively restricted in ways that make using them for the veterans' shortfall problematic; he said staff are pulling back from that option and will discuss alternatives. Whitfield said the department is exploring using general-fund dollars and assigned the new department director to pursue grants.

Commissioners requested a follow-up report showing the number of claims paid for the current and prior years, including whether those claims include peacetime and wartime veterans. Staff agreed to provide that data before the full-board vote.

No formal policy change was adopted at the committee meeting; commissioners directed staff to report back with data and potential funding options for peacetime veterans' burial assistance.