HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-15 - Res. Amending Res. 58-13 Veterans Advisory Board/Veterans' AssistanceRESOLUTION NO 0.-y
A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO 58-13
VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD/VETERANS' ASSISTANCE
WHEREAS, Mason County established a levy per RCW 73.08.080 for the purpose of
creating the Veterans' Assistance Fund for the relief of honorably discharged veterans or for
veterans discharged for physical reason with an honorable record;
WHEREAS, RCW 73.08.035 authorizes the establishment of a Veterans' Advisory Board;
WHEREAS, the Mason County Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 58-13
establishing the Veterans Advisory Board (VAB). The VAB will consist of seven members;
two appointed members of each of the following Mason County National Veterans' Organizations:
American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 40 et 8 and one Mason County resident Veteran.
Commanders of these organizations in Mason County will not be a member of the VAB, but will
appoint the members from their organization to serve on the VAB for the purpose of overseeing
the Mason County Veterans Funds. These members may be appointed or removed at the
discretion of the Commanders. The first appointment of members shall be three members for a
three-year term and four members for a two year term. Thereafter all terms will become two-year
terms. Members of the VAB shall be appointed and notification shall be given to the Board of
County Commissioners along with the annual report required by RCW 73.08.040 during the
month of October. The Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to disallow VAB
members for cause.
WHEREAS, RCW 73.08.010 provides for the relief of indigent and suffering veterans and
their families or the families of those deceased veterans, who need assistance and on September
7, 2004 the Board of Mason County Commissioners set the limit of cash award from the Mason
County Veterans' Assistance Fund to eligible veterans at six hundred ($600.00) dollars to be
spent on specific types of relief as noted in #2;
WHEREAS, the Mason County Veterans' Advisory Board has recommended the Mason
County Commissioners increase the amount to be awarded to eligible veterans to $800 and the
catastrophic award to $300;
WHEREAS, the Mason County Commissioners held a public hearing on February 10,
2015 to take public comment on the recommended increases payable to eligible veterans and to
take comment on other services for our Veteran community;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Mason County
Commissioners that:
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Resolution No.
Page 2 of 3
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1. The Veterans' Assistance Fund may be disbursed to indigent veterans and their families
or the families of those deceased in the amounts not to exceed eight hundred ($800.00)
per applicant per calendar year, not to exceed 2 years, unless the indigent Veteran
qualifies for additional funds under # 2 below. After one calendar year of waiting, the
veteran may reapply for further Veteran's Assistance Funds with proof of eligibility.
2. Approval of the eight hundred ($800.00) dollar assistance shall be granted for only past
due rent, mortgage, or utilities:
a. Utilities include electric, water, firewood, natural gas and/or propane.
b. Food (not to include tobacco and alcoholic beverages).
3. Veteran Assistance funds shall not duplicate other available assistance for the purposes
stated in #2.
4. If any Veterans' Assistance Committee determines an applicant is in need of assistance
due to any event, catastrophic illness or other significant change in circumstance which
comes into being unexpectedly and is beyond the applicant's management or control, the
Committee may request in writing that the Board of Mason County Commissioners
consider approval of an amount not to exceed three hundred ($300.00) dollars per
applicant in any calendar year.
5. All requests for funding shall be approved by the Veterans' Service Officer and the Board
of Mason County Commissioners.
6. RCW 41.04.005 and other provisions of RCW Title 73 shall govern eligibility assistance to
veterans and/or families.
7 The County defines "indigent and suffering" to mean the current poverty level as defined
by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, for a period of time:
previous 90 days or average of previous year.
8. As per RCW 73.08.070, the County shall assist indigent veterans with burial or cremation
costs of ($300.00) minimum or up to six hundred ($600.00) dollars. This is
in addition to prior eight hundred ($800.00) dollar limitation above in #2.
0 If any applicant knowingly and or unknowingly defrauds or provides false or misleading
information, or misuses funds, the applicant will be barred from receiving any further
assistance.
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Resolution No. 0",) _ I�
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Effective this 10th day of February 2015.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MASON COUNTY, WADI-IINGTON
ATTEST:
\___
J. Almanzor, Clerk o e Board
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Tim Whitehead, Chief DPA
c: Auditor
American Legion
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Nw 40et8
Randy Neatherlin, Chair
Tim Sheldon, Commissioner
Terri Jeffr
mmissioner
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