VSO Gains Administrative Support
On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, The Board of Supervisors voted in favor of integrating and consolidating administration of Veteran Services into the County Administrative Office (CAO).
The Veterans Service Office (VSO) is a small department consisting of less than 10 full-time employees. This transition will allow VSO employees to direct more of their time and attention toward providing services to veterans and their families, while the CAO provides administrative and fiscal support.
“This will allow us at the VSO to focus completely on serving our veterans” said Acting Veteran Services Officer, Troy Payne. “The administrative work while very necessary, is secondary. The CAO is more fit to take care of the fiscal side, while the VSO concentrates fully on serving veterans. Historically, the Board of Supervisors and CAO has increased the VSO budget year over year and shown their continued support for our local veterans.”
A community meeting was held on November 9, 2022, to discuss this recommendation with interested members of the community. Following the meeting, local veteran leaders expressed their support.
“I am personally confident in supporting this proposal.” Said Kevin Knapp, President of the Special Forces Association Chapter LXXXIX. “The VSO will be able to spend more time serving the veterans of Shasta County with this arrangement.”
This approved motion does not include any relocation of facilities. While the County is looking for a new facility that will provide more parking and office space for the VSO, no decisions have been made at this time.
To watch the meeting discussion and view staff reports on this item, visit www.shastacounty.gov/clerk-board/page/meeting-videos, view agenda item R3 of the 12/06/22 Board of Supervisors meeting.
