Veterans affairs extends Naber’s commission

Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commissioner Mike Naber will continue to serve on the board.

At the VA board’s regular monthly meeting Wednesday, the board approved Naber to serve another three-year term, beginning July 1 until 2022.

“I’m glad to do it and I’m glad they accepted me to put me up to the board of supervisors for continuation,” Naber said.

Another talking point during the meeting was the allocation fund. The allocation fund has been used for outreach programs and other initiatives this year, but there are some funds left over. Board memebers discussed some ideas on how the remaining funds could be used before they expire.

There was a discussion to elect a chairperson and secretary for the fiscal year 2019-20. The committee reached an agreement to appoint Fred Dimon as chairperson for the upcoming year and Keith Thorpe would become the secretary.

“It means that I am going to be calling the meetings to order and taking care of running the meetings,” Dimon said.

There was also discussion on vacation times that members would be taking and how to work around them being gone and continue services for Jasper County veterans.

VSO Keith Thorpe and director Kurt Jackson might have plans to take time off at the same time which could possibly shut down the office. It was approved through the other members in the commission it would be alright for them to take vacation at the same time, if it so arises.

“We always leave a sign on the door of when we will be back and how they can contact us in the mean time,” Jackson said.

There was a recommendation Keith Thorpe should receive a three percent pay raise because of a cost of living increase, but Thorpe wouldn’t receive the pay raise. The recommendation has to go through the auditor’s office.

At the end of the meeting, there was a motion go into closed session to discuss other business.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com