City Council
MEETING DATE: 4/11/2018
TITLE:
Title
Support for SB 1043
End
FROM:
Charlie McClendon, City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
This item is provided for information, discussion and direction only.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Mayor Henry recently received a letter from Riverside County Supervisor V. Manual Perez asking the Mayor to send a letter of support for SB 1043. Mayor Henry requested the item be brought forward to the full Council for discussion and direction.
DISCUSSION:
According to Supervisor Perez, SB 1043 would increase funding from the State of California for county veterans service officers statewide. SB 1043 proposes an increase in funding for this program to $7 million, an increase from the current $5.6 million level.
Supervisor Perez reports that Veterans Service Officers are key to serving veterans in California and facilitate their access to benefits for health care, education and other benefits they have earned. Over the past three years, Riverside County's veterans service officers have helped veterans receive nearly $100 million in benefit payments.
During the recession, funding from the state for the program dropped from $11 million annually to $3 million. The current level of funding, which is shared among California's 58 counties, stands at $5.6 million.
Attached are the letter from Supervisor Perez and a sample letter of support. Staff seeks Council direction to authorize Mayor Henry to send a letter of support on behalf of the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
Letter from Supervisor Perez to Mayor Henry
Sample support letter for SB 1043