DeKalb County veterans services director to retire; office highlights flag program and continuity plans

Rhonda (speaker 9), the county's veterans services director, told commissioners and councilors July 16 that she will retire in about two weeks and outlined her office's core functions, costs and succession plans.

Rhonda said the office supplied 5,868 flags in 2026 for deceased veterans in DeKalb County and described the costs of the program and alternatives. She presented two size options for the flag program: a 30-inch flag quoted at about $1.12 each, and a 24-inch flag quoted at about $0.80 each, which would reduce cost per year but was met with resistance from commissioners and council members who described the larger flag as a visible public tribute. "If it's between a small flag and a larger flag, that larger flag is a small token of thank you from the county to remember them," one councilor said.

Rhonda also described operations and administrative items. The office uses VetraSpec software for claims and service administration; an annual user fee (about $504.50 per user) is usually covered by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs but the county budgets for it as a precaution. The office reserves budget lines for memorial markers, travel/training and outreach (county presence at the fair).

On succession, Rhonda said Samantha Sailor has been appointed the new director and has hired a veterans service officer assistant, Megan Brown. Rhonda said she will provide mentoring and transitional support to ensure continuity of services.

Why it matters: The veterans services office provides direct benefits assistance to veterans and families and operates programs with high public visibility (grave markers, memorial flags). Leadership transitions can affect service continuity, claims processing and outreach; Rhonda's presentation sought to assure county leaders that the office has a succession plan and that routine expenses are covered in the budget.