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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM081607Jefferson County Service Officers Association MEETING MINUTES August 16, 2007 Service Officers present: Delmer Sayer, VFW 7498; Bill Wheeler, VFW 3213; and Ken Gaul, VFW 10706 Others present: Pat Bowen, VFW 7498; John Fischbach, County Administrator; and John Austin, County Commissioner The Chair called the meeting to order at the appointed time. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of April 18, 2007 were approved by unanimous vote. Possible Amendments to Service Officers Association (SOA) Agreement with Jefferson County: The following amendments were discussed: Raising the maximum amount per year from $800 to $1,000. Eligibility requirements — Delete the reference to "poverty level". Adding assistance with mortgage payments. Being able to support on-going programs such as funding for a homeless shelter. Being able to help Veterans get into low-cost housing. The County Administrator agreed to work with the SOA on amending the current Service Officers agreement with the County. Commissioner Austin suggested scheduling a meeting with the County Commissioners and the SOA during a County Administrator meeting on Monday afternoon. MillageRate for 2008Budget The Service Officers reviewed the revenue and expenditure amounts to date for 2007. Bill moved to have the Chair sign a letter to the Assessor requesting the minimum millage rate per the RCW. Pat seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. This is the same millage rate that was levied for the 2007 budget. Discussion re: Veterans Programs: Bill reported that the Veterans Conservation Corp, is overseen by Ed Bowen in Clallam County. They are interested in having a presence in eastern Jefferson County and are looking for an intern to be the contact person at an office in this area. WSU/Extension has said that they could possibly provide office space and the VFW in Port Hadlock may also be an option. The salary and majority of the expenses would be paid by the State. It was suggested that the Veteran's Assistance Fund could help pay the cell phone bill. This person would work with all Veterans in eastern Jefferson County as a central contact to provide a variety of services and would direct Veterans who need assistance from the Veterans' Assistance Fund to the County. Outreach: There was a discussion about the need to network with other social services agencies in the County such as the Health Department, the State Department of Social and Health Services and Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP). SOA Meeting Minutes for August 16, 2007 Page: 2 Bill reported that the SOA was recently notified about a Veteran and his wife who live in west Jefferson County by an outreach program in Forks. The SOA was able to help these people, but the distance to the Westend makes it difficult for them to maintain a presence there. It was suggested that partnering with Clallam County or having agreements with other social services agencies in the Westend may be the best way to handle these cases. Other suggestions regarding outreach and getting the word out included: Having a booth at the Clallam County Stand Down. Submitting a press release to the local newspapers. Putting brochures at the Community Centers, libraries and social services agencies. Advertising on the Jefferson Transit buses. Additional Business: Paving a Portion of the Commissioners' Clerk's Salary: They asked the Deputy Clerk of the Board to do research on the process necessary to be able to pay a portion of her salary for the administrative work she does for the SOA. It was suggested that they could pay $85 per week. AEETINGADJOURNED: Ken moved to adjourn the meeting. Bill seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.