Agenda

Return

C. 23

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	David Twa, County Administrator
Date:	December 8, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Add one Veterans Service Represented Position in the Veterans Service Office

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 12/08/2015

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Nathan Johnson, Veterans Service Officer (925) 313-1481
cc:	Nathan Johnson Fina Prak Susan Ferguson Cheryl Koch James Hicks

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: December 8, 2015
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Position Adjustment Resolution No. 21783 to add one (1) Veterans Service Representative (96WA) (represented) position at salary grade and level ZB5 1335 ($4,174 - $5,073) in the Veterans Service Department.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Upon approval, this action will result in annual costs of approximately $94,316, which includes approximately $19,605 in pension costs. This position will be 100% offset by State Aid Veterans Affairs.

BACKGROUND:

On June 24, 2015, the Governor signed the 2015-16 budget which made $5.6 million local assistance funding level for California Veterans Service (CalVet) Offices permanent. Additionally, the CalVet Strike Teams at the Veteran Affairs Regional Offices were also funded at the $3 million level in the State budget and the appropriation has been made ongoing at that level as well. The additional allocation for Contra Costa County will be over $95,000 annually.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The Contra Costa County Veterans Services Department (VSD) has historically used these funds, which were previously issued as one-time funding opportunities, for temporary staffing support to ensure the office's level of service match the veteran community benefits service needs. Since the funding levels were approved permanently, the Veterans Service Department will be eligible to receive this ongoing funding and therefore requests to add this Veterans Service Representative (VSR) position.

This additional position will allow the department to continue and expand their outreach efforts and the delivery of service to the increasing number of Veterans and the increasing complexity and need for services. The department has seen a steady increase in Veterans needing assistance. On average, 50 Veterans are seen per day in the Martinez office. With the passing of the bill that allows Veterans to have “Veteran” listed on their driver license, the daily office visits have increased significantly. Most of the Veterans coming in for the driver license application have not be into the VSD office so in addition to receiving the DMV letter we are able to provide new visitors to our office with a benefit overview.

Additionally, receiving approval for a new VSR position will allow the department to add an additional day at the Brentwood outstation. This Brentwood outstation is staffed one day a week and by appointment only. The current wait period for an appointment is 3 weeks. Adding an additional day of service will allow the department to increase services in the outlying area. This additional position will also allow us to staff our San Pablo office on a consistent basis and attend more “Outreach” events.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If this request is not approved, the department will not meet their permanent staffing needs.