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Veterans urge continued county support for CCVIP at Carroll County budget hearing
Summary
Multiple veterans and volunteers told commissioners the Carroll County Veterans Independence Project has provided vital counseling and benefits assistance and asked that the county continue funding the nonprofit in the FY2027 budget.
Several veterans addressed the Carroll County Board of Commissioners during the May 6 FY2027 budget public hearing to thank officials for funding the Carroll County Veterans Independence Project (CCVIP) and to describe the program's role in connecting veterans to benefits and peer support.
TJ Johnson, a Vietnam veteran, told the board he relies on CCVIP and volunteers there "every day," and thanked commissioners for the program's funding. Volunteer speakers Butch Brooks, Michael Buts and Gary Toth described CCVIP as a place that provided benefits assistance, counseling and camaraderie. One volunteer said the program was able to help him when other regional providers could not.
Speakers said CCVIP operates with volunteers and provides services that some other local organizations do not, and asked the board to preserve or increase support. Testimony included personal anecdotes of receiving benefits and of CCVIP's planned ambassador outreach to promote awareness of services.
Commissioners did not vote on funding at the hearing; the proposed budget remains subject to changes during a May 12 work session and final adoption on May 21.
