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Q&A
Council member's budget concerns and Commissioner's staffing update
0:45:10
·
64 sec
Council Member Holden expresses frustration over the lack of budget increase for the Department of Veterans Services, while Commissioner Hendon provides a positive update on the agency's staffing situation.
- Holden voices disappointment that DVS is not receiving additional funding despite ongoing discussions about its needs.
- The council member indicates that this may be his last opportunity to advocate for increased DVS funding.
- Commissioner Hendon adopts a 'glass half full' perspective, highlighting the agency's progress in filling vacancies.
- Hendon reports that DVS is close to achieving a 0% vacancy rate, which he considers a significant accomplishment.
- The commissioner also notes that DVS did not face any program eliminations in the past fiscal year.
Robert Holden
0:45:10
But so you did ask you you you can't tell us what the the new needs other than what you you had mentioned and but OMB is not listening because I don't expect I mean, I'm hopeful that we'll get more money, but I don't expect it because we never got it.
0:45:25
We haven't received it yet.
0:45:27
And I don't know how long this is it for me, by the way.
0:45:31
So I I would hope that finally we can get money
James Hendon
0:45:36
I've got to say, to me, I think the glass is half full and that we are really excited about getting to a place where we will be a less than 3% vacancy rate and getting to ideally 0% vacancy rate.
Robert Holden
0:45:46
Right.
James Hendon
0:45:46
That's big deal.
0:45:47
I've got to credit our people at OMB for that happening.
0:45:50
It's like that's you don't hear that from agencies often saying I have a less than 3% vacancy rate and soon I will be at a 0% vacancy rate.
0:45:57
So as far as within the context what we have, we appreciate that.
0:46:00
Also I want to acknowledge that you know we did not have any program to eliminate the gap measures taken with us this past fiscal year so that's something else I want to acknowledge our folks at OMB as far as things that the glasses have full here and we appreciate what we've got so we can go out and grind.