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Board weighs options to keep veteran services and transportation local amid staffing rules
Summary
Dolores County commissioners discussed difficulty filling a veteran service officer (VSO) role under new state rules requiring 20 hours/week to qualify for a roughly $14,000 grant; options discussed included using senior‑center hours, contracting with Montezuma County, and temporary county coverage through February.
County staff told the board they are struggling to fill a veteran service officer (VSO) position after state changes that set a 20‑hour minimum to qualify for part‑time VSO grant funding. The county currently receives roughly $14,000 for a part‑time VSO slot; staff said the grant amount is applied to the hours spent fulfilling VSO duties and that recipients must document contacts and time.
Commissioners discussed three practical options: 1) hire a county employee who combines VSO duties with other county work and tracks 20 hours of VSO time; 2) contract via an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Montezuma County to provide veterans services; or 3) have the senior center supply driver/transportation hours that could count toward VSO requirements while a permanent solution is found. Staff said senior‑center drivers currently transport veterans and could contribute hours, but cautioned that billing and documentation must be carefully separated so the county does not double‑bill senior or VA programs.
Several board members supported trying a temporary arrangement and submitting hours for the grant while the county recruits a permanent VSO. One county staff member said Kristen (local staff) can cover the role until February while she attends law‑enforcement academy training in February, giving officials more time to test arrangements and seek applicants.
The board agreed to pursue interim options, engage the state for guidance on billing and eligibility, and to post a short recruitment notice to see whether retired veterans or other qualified candidates respond.
