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Veterans service officer details FY2024 expenditures and new state notification requirement
Summary
The county veterans service officer summarized FY2024 benefits and memorial expenditures, noted increases in compensation and plot allowances, and said a new state law requires weekly verification/notification of incarcerated veterans — prompting a request for an assistant and possibly new office space.
The Veterans Service Officer (Speaker 6) presented a report on FY2024 veteran‑related expenditures and program activity. He said VA outlays included memorial benefits and plot allowances and that the county received a noticeable increase in compensation and pension payments that aggregated at the local level.
The officer highlighted a new state law signed by the governor requiring verification and weekly notification of incarcerated veterans; he said the jail will provide a weekly list and the veterans officer will follow up as needed. "With the new state law ... that involves incarcerated veterans," he said, describing the additional workload and the need for an assistant and potentially larger office space to manage the new duties.
He also noted that some VA benefits (burial, plot allowances) are provided at no cost, but counties still bear installation and site preparation costs. Commissioners thanked the officer and asked staff to supply more detailed expense and staffing estimates to evaluate whether an assistant and office adjustments are needed.
Next steps: veterans office will provide a clearer cost estimate and a request for staffing/space if needed so the commission can consider an appropriation.
