VSC: 'We will not change the budget'

Highland County Veterans Service Commission Board President Ray Alexander made one thing perfectly clear during the commission's June 19 board meeting: "We will not change the budget," he said.

With approximately 30 people – mostly U.S. Armed Forces veterans – in attendance at the Veterans Service office on North High Street in Hillsboro, Director Robin Brown conducted a town-hall meeting to address the VSC's 2013 budget as submitted to the Highland County Board of Commissioners.

"There's been a lot of discussion in articles in The Highland County Press, several comments and rebuttals," Brown said. "We want the veterans in Highland County to know exactly what is going on."

According to Brown, past budgeting practices within the Veterans Service Commission have resulted in $827,000 of potential veterans' funding over the past five years that has been returned to the county's general fund.

Brown referenced Ohio Revised Code 5901.11, which states: "On or before the last Monday in May in each year, the veterans service commission shall meet and determine in an itemized manner the probable amount necessary for the aid and financial assistance of persons entitled to such aid and assistance and for the operation of the veterans service office for the ensuing year. After determining the probable amount necessary for such purposes, the commission shall prepare and submit a budget in the manner specified in division (C) of section 5705.28 of the Revised Code to the board of county commissioners which may review the proposed budget and shall appropriate funds to the commission pursuant to Title III, section 5705.05, and sections 5705.38 to 5705.41 of the Revised Code. The board, at its June session, shall make the necessary levy, not to exceed five-tenths of a mill per dollar on the assessed value of the property of the county, to raise the amount that the board approves. The veterans service commission may, prior to the first day of October in any year, submit to the board of county commissioners a written request for a hearing before the board to discuss the commission’s budget request for the ensuing fiscal year…"

"We can't change what was done in the past, but we can make a difference now," Brown said.

In a May 30 letter to The Highland County Press, Brown said: "(The) past local practice, as it has been quoted to me by County Commissioner Tom Horst, and our newly appointed representative, Kevin Barreras, (with a witness, I might add, on April 19), was that the Veterans Service Commissioners have received and agreed to instructions to recognize the practice of a 'gentlemen’s agreement' to minimize spending for our veterans and families in order for the county to utilize the remainder of funds for other county services."

During the Wednesday, June 20 county commissioners' meeting, Horst denied having that discussion with Brown. Horst called Brown a "liar" and said he wasn't going to get into a "(urination) contest" with her.

"That woman (Brown) is stirring a lot of crap," Horst said.

On Wednesday, Brown insisted the conversation did take place via a telephone call on April 24, not April 19. "I am not a liar," Brown said.

Brown copied The Highland County Press on an email to the commissioners regarding a budget request for this year. "Afterward, Tom Horst called me personally to tell me that there is no money left for this year, and added the comment of the gentlemen's agreement," Brown said.

"The bottom line is that the conversation took place with Tom Horst on the 24th of April after I sent the email; and two hours later, the same comment of the gentlemen's agreement was made with my staff present during my conversation with Kevin Barreras. I requested during my conversation with Tom Horst to meet to discuss. To date, no further discussion has taken place."

Commission President Shane Wilkin said the VSC board will be invited to the June 27 commissioners' meeting to discuss its office location and the proposed 2013 budget.

Brown said that over the past five years the county "has reaped the rewards of almost $1 million."

As previously reported by The Highland County Press, last month, Richard Kisamore, the former president of the Highland County Veterans Service Commission requested to the Highland County Board of Commissioners and the Highland County prosecutor that a special legal counsel be appointed, and a hearing be scheduled regarding an alleged "budget dispute."

In a May 24 letter to the board of commissioners and Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, saying the he had received communications from county officials regarding the budget the commission had submitted to the county, Mr. Kisamore wrote:

"The budget in question was a lawful, appropriated budget. The Ohio Department of Veterans Service, as well as Gov. (John) Kasich have publicly commented that county Veterans Service Commissions need to utilize all available resources to improve the delivery of benefits and services to veterans as mandated by R.C. Chapter 5901.

"The (Highland) county commissioners have taken a position which places that office squarely adverse to the position, as well as the philosophy, of the Veterans Service Commission – which is that there is not enough being done to assist Highland County veterans.

"I do not believe there is any way in which the interests of these two offices can be harmonized or reconciled for purposes of representation," Kisamore wrote.

"Because the Highland County Veterans Service Commission has an adverse interest with the Highland County Commissioners' Office, which requires separate counsel for the purposes of providing representation in the matter of this budget dispute, I hereby request on behalf of the Highland County Veterans Commission that you initiate the statutory procedure with the court of common pleas to apply for an appointment of an outside attorney as special counsel."

Highland County Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer was the only commissioner in attendance at Tuesday's VSC meeting.

"Why would the county commissioners not approve the budget?" asked Dr. Paul Yinger. "How can they not approve it when it's a state law?"

"They can opt to not approve it, then legal action can be taken," Brown replied. "Everyone loves a veteran on Memorial Day, but we should love the veterans every day."

When asked about the VSC budget, Shaffer said there has been no official discussion among the three commissioners – Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Shaffer.

"I will have to ask the county prosecutor (before answering)," Shaffer said. "Last year was my first year with the budget. We've had no discussion on the Veterans Service Commission. There's been no decisions made. What I do know is that Veterans Services has never been denied a request. I agree it's unacceptable."

One veteran in attendance asked Shaffer: "When will the budget be on the commissioners' schedule?"

"Commissioner Wilkin sets the agenda," Shaffer replied.

"Let's not wait until January," the veteran said.

"I would suggest you encourage Mr. Wilkin and Mr. Horst to set this on the agenda," Brown told Shaffer.

United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran John Coy said, "I don't know how many county commissioners are veterans (several in attendance answered 'none'), but if you don't see it through a veteran's eyes, it's tough to swallow. Our veterans – and first responders – should be the first priority, not some other happy horse (manure). It's all politics."

Pastor and veteran Shane Montgomery said, "You can judge a nation by how it treats its veterans."

"I keep hearing there's a fight, but we haven't had any discussions on the budget," Shaffer said.

"Any time any public official calls my office, don't tell me there haven't been any discussions," Brown said. "I'm not going to play these games, Mr. Shaffer."

"I'm not here to argue," Shaffer responded.

"Well, I am," Brown said. "I'm not going to bull (manure) these veterans."

Discussion continued on a statement at a recent county commissioners' meeting about relocating the offices of the Veterans Services.

Shaffer said a letter has been drafted that the VSC and county commissioners would work together toward finding new location for the office.

"We'd like to close this building," Shaffer said.

According to Brown, the building is not in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and there are other issues, including mold, and a lack of private office space to meet with veterans.

"Why doesn't this building have handicapped accessibility?" Coy asked. "Where are the fines? It's a government building."

Parking issues also were discussed, particularly the two-hour parking limit in uptown Hillsboro.

The VSC staff said some meetings with veterans can take two to three hours.

"That's the city," Shaffer said.

Within the proposed VSC budget, which passed by a 4-0 vote on May 15, are increases for veterans transportation, outreach services and staff salaries.

However, comments that "80 percent of the increases are for salaries are absolutely not true," she said.

"By law, by the end of June county commissioners have to approve our budget," Brown said. "They have two meetings (left in June) to do that. We don't have any exorbitant spending. If we don't have funds, we can't do the services we want to do. I think it's unacceptable to be giving the county back almost $1 million over the last five years.

"We are the only agency that puts money back into the county, at a rate of $113 to $1. When veterans come in for assistance and qualify for additional funds, where do you think they spend that money? But too many veterans do not know the services they are entitled to."

Brown said there are approximately 3,800 veterans in Highland County.

"We're here to help each other," said Shaffer, who agreed with the VSC-approved budget. "We're on the same team."

"Thank you, Jeremy," Brown said. "I know you're in the line of fire, but thanks for showing up."

Other veterans in attendance also thanked the commissioner for attending the meeting.

As of this afternoon, the VSC budget was not on the commissioners' agenda for the June 20 board meeting.