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There is a proposal before the Chelan and Douglas County commissioners to merge the Chelan County Veteran Services Office and the Douglas County Veteran Services Office through an interlocal agreement. Chelan County would manage the Veteran Relief Tax (RCW 73.08.080) and the programs funded by the tax. The Veteran Advisory Boards, which are required (RCW 73.08.035), would merge to advise on the use of the Veteran Relief Tax. Current Douglas County staff would become Chelan County employees. Quarterly progress reporting would be provided to both commissions.

 

What is the benefit of a merger?

Regional Consistency - Chelan and Douglas counties both have paid staff members who are accredited Veteran Service Officers. They operate across the river, but may have different processes. Unifying the two counties would create consistency in the services provided. There is a great need for supporting our veterans in our community. By housing all of the local veteran service officers in one location, it will help with streamlining, coordinating and expanding veteran services.  

Staffing – There would be more than one Veteran Service Officer available for walk-ins to talk to and schedule appointments with. Outreach to more rural communities and underserved populations, such as nursing homes, would improve greatly. In turn, the office would be able to serve more veterans in a timely manner.

Outreach - More staffing in the office would allow staff to do more community outreach. The Chelan County Veteran Service Officer already does scheduled outreach to Chelan and will be expanding to Cashmere, Entiat and Leavenworth in 2026. With this arrangement, Douglas County could have its Veteran Service Officer do scheduled outreach in rural communities such as Waterville and Bridgeport. This would provide more support to veterans in rural communities who may not have the means to travel to Wenatchee or East Wenatchee. Furthermore, a dedicated staff member could attend more social service provider meetings such as the LPA meeting that DSHS facilitates or the Interagency meeting that Wenatchee School District facilitates. These meetings will help to promote the office, and make more veterans of different ages/eras of service, veteran families, and caseworkers aware of the resources and benefits available.

CVSO Desktop – A program was created for Chelan County’s veteran program a few years ago to better track data. The program is extremely customizable since the creator of the program can work directly with staff to create reports and functions that they need. Douglas County has been utilizing this system as well. It would be easy to merge the data together. If there is specific data or trends that the two commissions would like information on, the program can likely be customized to meet their requests.

 

How will the office be staffed?

Currently, the Chelan County Veteran Services Office has three full-time positions: Veteran Service Office Supervisor (vacant), Veteran Service Officer, and Administrative Assistant. Douglas County has one three-quarter-time Veteran Service Officer and one part-time Administrative Assistant (vacant). Douglas County has chosen not to fill this position until it is determined if a merger will take place or not.

It is the intention of the proposal to keep all of the positions at their job status of full- or part-time. Because the Veteran Service Office Supervisor will now be overseeing additional staff members and assuming other responsibilities, there will need to be a change in the pay scale for this position. This position also will be integral in the merger. The position will serve as the point of contact and liaison for all parties involved (Both BOCCs, both VABs, and the Chelan County Economic Services Department) and will work closely with the Community Services Manager.

The Veteran Service Office is housed under the Economic Services Department, led by the Economic Services Director, who reports to the Chelan County BOCC. Because this program would be under an interlocal agreement, the Economic Services Director would report on the office to the joint commission. The Economic Services Director is the direct supervisor of the Community Services Manager. The Community Services Manager is the direct supervisor of the Veteran Service Officer, who has direct supervision over the veteran service office and the Veteran Service Officers and Veteran Support Specialist. Neither the Economic Services Director nor the Community Services Manager salaries come from the Veteran Relief Fund.

The current Administrative Assistant position would change to Veteran Support Specialist. There would be a slight change in the job description that would include requiring accreditations.

 

What will the roles of each staff member be?

Veteran Service Office Supervisor (FTE) – The main function of this role is to manage the day-to-day operations of the Veteran Service Office. They will work with the Community Services Manager to develop budgets, procedures, and other office related matters. They will process claims that have higher barriers like denials and appeals. They will serve as the point of contact for the merger.

Veteran Service Officer (FTE) – Will work full-time strictly processing claims. They will have walk-in hours, but for the most part be available by appointment. They will do schedule outreach. The job functions remain the same as the .75 FTE.

Veteran Service Officer (.75 FTE) – Will work three-quarters full-time and will be strictly processing claims. They will have walk-in hours, but for the most part be available by appointment. They will do schedule outreach. The job functions remain the same as the FTE. 

Veteran Support Specialist (FTE) – This position would provide administrative support to the office. They would need to receive any accreditations needed to access state and federal systems to assist with preparing documents for veteran appointments. Responsible for attending social service meetings to promote the office/services as time allows. They will be responsible for coordinating, planning and executing veteran events, such as the Purple Heart and Veterans Day celebrations.

 

Where will the one location be?

The Chelan County Veteran Service Office at 428 Orondo Ave. in Wenatchee will be the main location. Chelan County owns this building; there is no cost for rent. The current VSO will stay in his office, the WDVA office will be where the Veteran Service Officer (.75 FTE) will have her office. The resource room would become the Veteran Service Office Supervisor’s office. The Veteran Support Specialist would remain in their same location near the front door to greet members of the public.

 

What technology would be needed?

There would be some technology that would need to be purchased for the VSO I & the VSO Supervisor:

• Two new email licenses for Chelan County emails
• Two cell phones and cell phone lines
• Two Microsoft Office Licenses
• Two Adobe Acrobat licenses
• Two Desk Phones and Lines
• Two computer set ups (computer, mouse, keyboard)  

 

What are the additional operational needs?

There are some additional one-time, start-up operational expenses. A desk will need to be purchased for the VSO Supervisor’s office. File cabinets for the VSO (.75FTE) and VSO Supervisor. Office chairs may need to be purchased for both positions. Otherwise, the office is currently stocked with typical office supplies, and there are not a lot of big expenses that the program would in

The travel line item would need to be supportive of the increase in outreach.

 

How will the Veteran Advisory Board merge and function?

How the two boards would like to merge is up to the discretion of the boards. The boards shall meet and discuss By-Laws, Policies & Procedures, and membership in partnership with staff.

• Do the two boards want to create a new set of By-Laws? Merge elements from each? Adopt one over the other?
• Do the two boards want to create a new set of Policies & Procedures? Merge elements from each? Adopt one over the other?
• Do they want to keep all of the existing members? Have some members voting & some non-voting? Will they need to elect/re-elect leadership positions such as chair & vice chair?

 

Other questions to consider:

• What do Douglas County's expenses and revenue look like?
• Will Douglas County be willing to contribute from its general fund?
• Do current Douglas County staff know about these conversations?
• Is Douglas County interested in assisting with facilities and maintenance costs?

 

Timeline

If both counties decide to move forward, the Veteran Service Office Supervisor will be hired as soon as possible to act as the point person for coordinating the merger. This includes, but is not limited to, meeting with staff at both locations, coordinating joint meetings of the VABs for feedback and recommendations, working with leadership from both Chelan and Douglas counties, etc.

If approved, the anticipated start date for a complete merger of the two counties would be Jan. 1, 2027.

For a proposed budget, email us and we will provide one.

Last Updated: 08/12/2026 01:57 PM

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