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Q&A
Council Member Holden discusses DVS funding and challenges with Joe Bello
1:17:15
·
128 sec
Council Member Robert F. Holden engages in a discussion with veteran advocate Joe Bello about the challenges facing the Department of Veterans Services (DVS), focusing on budget constraints and staffing issues. They explore the impact of underfunding on DVS operations and the difficulties in retaining staff.
- Holden acknowledges the need for a larger budget for DVS to improve communication with veterans
- Bello argues that adding programs without adequate funding is straining DVS staff
- Both agree that increasing DVS personnel is crucial to address current challenges
Robert F. Holden
1:17:15
But let me just, because I think you'll agree that the administration should put in
Joe Bello
1:17:21
a larger budget.
1:17:20
Absolutely, we had discussions.
Robert F. Holden
1:17:22
So how much is really on the administration and not the agency.
1:17:28
The DVS, meaning DVS has a small staff.
1:17:33
So not being, you know, not addressing somebody, not being able to communicate through mail, I think is huge.
1:17:40
I think if we increase the budget just so they can communicate four times a year, let's say, to veterans, that would go a long way.
1:17:48
So that's why you got to take every I take it with a grain of salt here.
Joe Bello
1:17:53
Oh, no.
1:17:53
And I'm not saying I don't agree with you.
1:17:56
What I'm saying is that you cannot have an administration that is not funding doing pegs, doing cuts.
1:18:02
Right?
1:18:02
We we've been to the all these testimonies, but then having a commissioner that is adding on programs and initiatives.
1:18:10
Who's who's suffering there?
1:18:11
The staff.
1:18:12
And and when they're dropping the ball, you've got the leadership here cracking down on them, and what do they wind up doing?
1:18:20
They wind up leaving.
1:18:22
Where's Nicole Jordan Jones?
Robert F. Holden
1:18:25
That's like So it's it's a two pronged thing.
1:18:27
It is a catch 22 though.
1:18:28
It's just like with the police department.
1:18:30
Officers are quitting because not only are they overworked, they're handling more duties, they they're criticized when they have overtime.
1:18:39
So it's unless we hire more officers, unless we hire more DBS personnel, we're gonna be in this predicament, you
George Singleton
1:18:49
know.
Joe Bello
1:18:49
Well then I think this goes to what we talked about last month at the preliminary budget hearing.
1:18:53
I I personally I mean, I I hope you were able to convince the mayor to put additional funding into DVS, but I'm not gonna hold my breath
Robert F. Holden
1:19:02
on.
1:19:03
Right.
1:19:03
Right.
Joe Bello
1:19:04
And so
Robert F. Holden
1:19:05
just to wrap up Again, I don't know if if I I tried to to tell him and the answer was, we shouldn't be doing the VA, the federal government's work.
1:19:15
I think
Joe Bello
1:19:16
that's why what we said last month in the DVS two point o, we have to have a discussion about what is doable and what is not doable.
Robert F. Holden
1:19:23
Okay.