In an effort to expand the work and properly certify Jasper County’s shared benefits coordinator, who splits his time between veterans affairs and general assistance, the leader of the Iowa Association of County Commission Veteran Service Officers recommended further assistance from the board of supervisors.
Patty Hamann, president of IACCVSO, told the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission during its July 10 meeting that it might be best if supervisors take formal action to adjust the shared benefits coordinator position’s salary so that half comes from veterans affairs and half comes from general assistance.
When human resources director Dennis Simon presented Hamann’s idea to the board during a July 16 work session, there was some initial skepticism from chairman Brandon Talsma, and he suggested whether it was even necessary to take action since the auditor’s office has since handled the budget adjustment.
“Is Patty wanting something in resolution form?” Talsma asked.
Simon said, “Not so much resolution but official action on the agenda with a vote yay, nay. That way we have the minutes or something that when feds are going to ask we can say, ‘Yes, the board took official action and this individual is 50-50, and it is out of their (the veterans affairs department) budget.’”
Still, Talsma said he spoke with Sen. Joni Ernst’s team, who told him it was not necessary. Simon suggested taking action would pacify any federal officials and protect Jasper County from government scrutiny. From then on the county could point to the minutes and prove the position is split evenly between two offices.
By proving that Josh Price, the shared benefits coordinator, is an employee of veterans affairs who is compensated from that department’s budget, it would allow him access to trainings to expand upon what he would be allowed to do. He would also report directly to the veterans affairs commission.
Which is similar to how veterans affairs administrator Alyssa Wilson operates in the office, which is located in the county administration building. Price also would not report to Wilson as a supervisor. Simon said most of Price’s work currently and moving forward is dedicated to the veterans affairs office.
Talsma asked Simon to contact Hamann and ask if a one-time-a-year allocation from the board of supervisors to the veterans affairs commission for 50 percent of Price’s pay and benefits would suffice. Simon explained that the commission still wanted official action on the agenda.
Simon said, “He was hired in as the shared benefits and Connie (McQuiston of general assistance) was his supervisor, and we need something with board approval—”
Talsma interjected, “That says he also answers to the VA commission. OK. Which that’s—“
“Fifty percent VA.”
“I don’t think that’s an issue.”
Originally, Talsma suggested a memorandum of understanding could be drafted that states the position also answers to the veterans affairs commission and spends a minimum of 50 percent or more of his time working with veterans affairs. Simon was not sure Jasper County needed to go that far.
“We’re going to have the minutes and it’s going to be documented that 50 percent of his salary and benefits will come out of the VA budget,” Simon said. “Because she talked about being able to send those minutes to the feds. So I don’t think we need to make it too complicated. Just an item on there.”
Talsma was on board with the idea but to him it still seemed overly complicated, claiming there are many counties in Iowa with a split position.
For the past few veterans affairs commission meetings, discussions have gotten heated between Wilson, the commissioners and local veterans. One of the recent issues that caused tension was the lack of flexibility with Price’s position and the technicalities that have prevented him from truly taking on extra work.
Veterans have come to Wilson’s defense and said she is overworked, needs more assistance from county supervisors and is limited by what Price can do because his supervisor was the head of general assistance. Hamann’s request helps the latter, but her visit with the commission helped ease other tensions.
While discussion was lengthy and at times a little chaotic, Hamann offered valuable insight into requirements and accreditations needed for Price and even Wilson to do their jobs properly. Employees of veterans affairs have to maintain a minimum of 20 hours a week, for instance.
“Only county veteran service officers and veterans affairs workers are allowed to get accredited under our national organization,” Hamann said. “…I did a dual role. I, myself, used to be VA and then I did general assistance. I reported to the commissioners on the VA side and I reported to the board of supervisors on GA.”
Commissioner Ed Spangenburg said Iowa Code requires Price to be certified within 12 months of employment. Since Price was hired in February, he asked Hamann if he would have enough time to get his accreditation. Hamann confirmed he still has time so long as he passes the accreditation.
But in order to do that, the supervisors would have to make a formal motion acknowledging that he is a 50-50 employee of veterans affairs and general assistance, and that the budget properly reflects that split. As of July 19, the supervisors agenda has included the action for board approval. Update: The board of supervisors on July 23 voted in favor of making the split and will make quarterly allocations to the current budget to ensure it stays that way.
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