The Cass County Board of Supervisors received a quarterly and annual report from County Veterans Affairs Director Mitch Holmes, during their meeting this (Wednesday) morning, in Atlantic.

Mitch Holmes, Cass Co. VA Director

During the 4^th Quarter report, Holmes said his office process 17 claims for general assistance, amounting to a little more than $7,674. The amount was a little higher than normal, he said, because it included two indigent burials. Aside from those burials, the costs were on-par for what is normally spent during the time frame.

As far as Federal V-A benefits, Holmes said there were a total of 99 forms filed. He said there’s been a big push over the past couple of years to try and get veterans registered for their benefits. That includes hospital visits, as well as compensation and disability payments related to injuries they may have suffered during their military careers.

They also helped veterans sign-up for nursing home, records request and life insurance benefits. Holmes said 216 veterans were assisted at the Cass County V-A Office over the past quarter, they received 230 office visits and made 22 home visits. During his annual report, Holmes said over the fiscal year ending June 30^th, 462 veterans and their family members were assisted by the Cass County Veterans Affair Office, with a total of 5,118 contacts made. A total of 342 federal V-A documents were processed.

Holmes said Cass County receives almost $5.1-million annually in veteran’s benefits, an increase of 9.6-percent over last year. That includes compensation and pensions [$2.68-million], medical expenditures [$2.2-million], and education and vocational rehabilitation [$157,000]. The remaining funds are scattered among the various VA programs.

The Cass County VA office provides a wide variety of assistance and services for its resident, honorably-discharged veterans and their family members. Its main focus is to assist them in applying for federal and state benefits and other veterans’ aid.

The Harlan City Council, Tuesday, approved two separate resolutions pertaining to the Harlan Police Department Building Project. During their regular meeting, the council also held a public hearing with regard to the project, but heard no comments from the public.

The city only received one bid from Leinen Construction of Harlan. The estimated 2,100 square foot project will cost $321,889. After closing the public hearing, the council approved the contract with Leinen Construction.

The company plans to begin work immediately on the new Police Department Building, with the completion of construction  set for the end of this year.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)