April 22, 2021 By Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com
Discussions are underway regarding the renewal of a millage dedicated to veteran services in Livingston County.
A three-year millage previously approved by voters to fund programs and services for local veterans is set to expire next year. The Livingston County Veterans Committee held a hybrid meeting Wednesday evening and talked about what millage amount to levy next year but also what ballot proposal to potentially put forward in 2022. It was clarified that funds can only be used for things like assisting with veteran relief and programs, not on roads.
The department also receives grant funding through the Michigan Veterans Services Administration and in order to keep that, the current .1127 rate is the lowest amount that can be levied. Information on next yearâs rate needs to be provided in February. For the past two years, the millage rate has been .1127 but there is the ability to go
February 2, 2021 By Mike Kruzman / news@whmi.com
The third time may be a charm for Livingston County Veterans Services as they search for a new headquarters.
Twice in the last year the department thought they had succeeded in finding a new space to call home only to be left heartbroken. On Monday, Veterans Services Director Mary Durst was before the county General Government and Health and Human Services Committee asking for their approval to lease 5,000 square feet of office space in Genoa Township. Their new home would be in the former Iron Grip Ninja location at 1420 Lawson Drive, in the same building as the Secretary of State office. Durst told the committee this is actually about 1,800 square feet larger than their last targeted location, which will allow them to do even more.
January 21, 2021 By Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com
The Livingston County Veterans Services Committee is pursuing a new site to hopefully relocate its offices and better serve local veterans.
The Committee met virtually Wednesday evening and discussed priorities for 2021, which includes signing a lease for a new office by the end of February. Also at play are $104,215 in grant funds that were awarded in 2020 by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for office relocation and expansion. Those funds must be expended by April 30th or could be forfeited. The grant is to be utilized solely for the goal of enhancing and improving county veteran service operations to connect veterans with their benefits. Director Mary Durst commented that she felt it was best to go ahead and pick a good spot and hope it works out, otherwise there is high risk of losing that money.