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Linn County preliminarily approves veterans services budget; director requests one new staffer
Summary
Supervisors preliminarily approved a FY2026 Veterans Services budget of $682,587 and $18,000 in revenues; the director requested one additional full‑time income maintenance/paraprofessional VSO to handle rising caseloads and outreach, with ongoing cost estimated at $95,170 and a one‑time $10,000 setup cost.
Linn County supervisors preliminarily approved the Veterans Services proposed FY2026 appropriation and heard a detailed presentation on service trends, outreach and staffing needs.
Budget Director Sarah Barrows presented FY2026 appropriations of $682,587 and revenues of $18,000. Dustin Peterson, Veteran Services, said the office’s connected veteran population increased to 3,548 and that connecting veterans to federal benefits brings substantial tax‑free dollars into the community; Peterson cited figures from VA geographic distribution data and noted the office has increased throughput and outreach.
Peterson requested one additional full‑time income maintenance/paraprofessional position (salary grade 57, step B; ongoing cost he presented as $95,170 and a one‑time furniture placeholder of $10,000) to reduce staff burnout and handle increased claims work and outreach. He described partnerships that help reduce county spending and defended maintaining direct assistance lines in the budget despite prior cuts, noting variability in state grant availability.
Supervisors discussed state training and reimbursement mechanics and expressed support for Peterson's work. One supervisor moved to accept the preliminary veterans services budget; the board voted approval by voice vote.
What's next: The budget was preliminarily approved; county staff will continue budget work during the FY2026 cycle and return with final appropriations.
