DATE: April 7, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: VSO Budget Resolutions
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2025-26 appropriations for Veterans Service Office Org 7110 in the amount of $32,818 (4/5 vote); and
2. Adopt Budget Resolution decreasing FY 2025-26 appropriations for General Relief Org 6645 in the amount of $32,818. (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost (NCC) associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Veterans Service Office (VSO) to address budgetary needs caused by an increase in cost from Information Technology Service Department (ITSD), General Services Department (GSD) and travel needs to keep staff accredited. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. If the recommended actions are not approved, the Department will not have sufficient appropriations to cover the service costs from other county departments and program needs. This will allow the Department to reimburse the general fund for payments.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in NCC associated with the recommended actions. Recommended Action one will increase appropriations in the Veterans Service Office Org 7110 ($32,818) to fund the increased cost for services. The estimated cost increase will be offset with NCC savings from General Relief Org 6645 ($32,818). Recommended Action two will decrease appropriations in the General Relief Org 6645 in the amount of $32,818 NCC savings.
DISCUSSION:
Following the FY 2025-26 budget submittal in August 2025, ITSD distributed a memorandum outlining a review of the metrics used to modify Interoffice Messenger Mail services. As part of this review, ITSD reevaluated the cost structure for interoffice and postal Mail Stop services, transitioning from a per-mail-stop charge to a structure that also includes a mileage-based component. As a result of this adjustment, VSO’s billing changed from being charged for one stop to five stops. This revision increased overall costs and resulted in a budget shortfall of $17,852.20 in the Stop Mail account.
In October 2025, the department began reviewing interdepartmental costs associated with the ISD split. During this review, it was discovered that GSD had been erroneously charging Facilities Overhead costs to Social Services Org 5610 instead of allocating the expense to the Veterans Service Office (VSO) Org 7110. During the budget development process, this overhead charge was not included for VSO Org 7110 in the GSD rate list. DSS Administration did not anticipate receiving facility support from GSD, as the VSO occupies leased space that is fully supported by the landlord. The GSD Administrative expense represents a proportional share of GSD overhead, including staffing and operational costs incurred to provide countywide facility oversight. These costs are allocated to departments based on occupied square footage.
The Veteran Service Officer requires travel funding to attend mandatory conferences necessary to maintain accreditation for the provision of Veteran Services. Without the ability to attend required training and conferences, the VSO risks losing accreditation and, consequently, a portion of this critical revenue source. Loss of accreditation would prohibit the Veteran Service Representative from legally preparing, submitting, or advocating VA claims on behalf of veterans and their dependents. This would directly reduce service capacity, delay or deny access to earned benefits for Fresno County veterans, and create an immediate operational and fiscal risk to the Veterans Service Office.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 7110)
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 6645)
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander