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Dubois County veteran service officer urges full‑time staffing as visits surge
Summary
The county’s veteran service officer presented data showing more than 1,100 veteran interactions year‑to‑date and recommended converting the office to two full‑time positions to improve continuity and claims processing; commissioners asked staff to circulate budget estimates and deferred action until after additional council discussions.
The Dubois County veteran service officer told commissioners the office is handling a sustained, growing workload and recommended moving both the veteran service officer position and the administrative assistant from part‑time to full‑time.
"My goal is to ensure that every veteran family member who comes through our door receives the level of service they deserve," the veteran service officer said, presenting year‑to‑date figures showing 1,117 veteran interactions, including 931 in‑person visits, 722 walk‑ins and 192 appointments.
The officer said the current part‑time model and 28 public hours per week no longer align with the complexity and volume of claims work, including PACT Act benefits and appeals, and noted turnover has disrupted continuity: "I've been the sixth VSO in six years," he said as he urged a full‑time model to improve retention and follow‑up.
Commissioners welcomed the data but did not vote on the proposal. Commissioner (S2) asked that the VSO circulate the budget estimates; the VSO said he had prepared options for part‑time, mixed, and two full‑time staffing models and would email detailed budget numbers to the board.
Several commissioners said they support further study and requested a follow‑up meeting with council and budget staff before a final decision. "Let's wait until after your meeting tomorrow and with one of the council meetings as well, and then we'll revisit this," Commissioner (S8) said.
The board agreed to place the staffing proposal on the next agenda for formal consideration, giving commissioners time to review the VSO’s budget options and for the council to weigh funding availability.
Next steps: the VSO will distribute the budget estimates to commissioners and council members and the board will revisit staffing and hours at the next regular meeting.
