The Dearborn County Board approved a request from the Veteran Service Office on Dec. 2 to add a part‑time assistant to help manage an increasing caseload and upcoming state requirements.

Mr. Kearns (Veteran Service Officer) told commissioners the office serves about 3,500 Dearborn County veterans and additional clients from surrounding counties and that 51 of 92 Indiana counties now have two or more veteran service officers. He said recent state legislation will increase training and reporting duties, including additional meetings with county leadership, and that an assistant would prevent drop‑offs in service during absences or transitions.

Commissioners expressed support for the request and approved moving forward; staff indicated the county would take funding steps through the county council in March or May and would look at space and budget arrangements in the health department.

What’s next: County staff will work with the Veteran Service Office to identify funding sources and present the budget request to county council for approval in the spring.