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Commissioners hear Logan County's request over shared veteran-services workload; further review planned
Summary
Lincoln County's veteran service officer told the board his caseload has surged and that veteran clients sometimes use neighboring counties for help; Logan County earlier asked Lincoln County to compensate its veteran service officer for time spent serving Lincoln veterans. Commissioners asked staff to obtain the Logan County request in writing and to discuss options — including possible staffing increases — before any decision.
Lincoln County commissioners discussed a request from Logan County related to the workload of veteran service officers after the Logan County attorney indicated their VSO spent substantial time serving Lincoln County veterans.
Veteran Service Officer Thomas Gan told the board he is the only full‑time VSO in Lincoln County and that the office handles between 2,500 and 3,000 veterans. He reported heavy demand for claim development work (documents, medical records and appeals), noting his office logged 57 communications in March alone. Gan said he has been turning away non‑county clients for several months because of workload, though veterans still sometimes seek assistance across county lines due to relationships and convenience.
Tyler (staff) explained that Logan County’s attorney had suggested Logan County might seek compensation from Lincoln County because that county’s VSO was spending time serving Lincoln residents. Commissioners did not have a written compensation demand in the meeting packet and requested that staff obtain the formal letter and additional details from Logan County before pursuing any interlocal payment or staffing change.
Board members praised Gan’s outreach and noted that increased demand for veteran services could justify expanding office hours or adding staff, but also observed fiscal constraints. Commissioners instructed staff to confer with Logan County leadership, obtain documentation of the request and explore options — including re‑examining Lincoln County staffing and potential interlocal arrangements — and return with recommended next steps at a future board meeting.
No formal interlocal agreement was approved at the meeting; the matter remains under study and will return to a future agenda when staff and chair Williams have had follow up discussions with Logan County leadership.
