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Commissioner Philbeck - To Increase Department of Veterans Services Budget by $30,000 to Fund ACCESS Transportation Program Through June 30, 2016
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STAFF CONTACT
Kurt Geske/Veterans Services/704-866-3692
BUDGET IMPACT
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• Increase VSO client transportation budget from $60,000 to $90,000
• This would increase VSO operating expenditures from $78,069 to $108,069, and the overall VSO budget from $342,083 to $372,083
• Additional County funds: $30,000
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
Increase 2015 - 2016 County Budget by $30,000
BACKGROUND
• Gaston County currently provides transportation (through the ACCESS system) for veterans with medical appointments at VA Medical Center - Salisbury and VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic - Charlotte.
• Virtually all of the veterans who make use of this program do not have other transportation options, and would presumably have to forego receiving VA medical care if ACCESS transportation were not available.
• Based upon past demand for services, $60,000 is currently budgeted for this program.
• During the first five months of the 2015 - 2016 budget year, the number of requests for transportation has increased significantly.
• Based upon the average monthly expenditure through November 2015, the projected cost of this program (through June 2016) will be $79,073.40.
• Accordingly, absent additional funding, Gaston County will have to stop providing ACCESS transportation for veterans at the end of March 2016.
POLICY IMPACT
N/A