Board reinstates veterans rideshare program for one year, asks staff to pursue VA/DAV transition

The Goodhue County Board on Dec. 16 reinstated the county Veterans Service Office rideshare program for the coming year and asked staff to pursue options for transferring portions of the service to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or to a hybrid model.

Justin (Veteran Services, S10) said none of the county drivers transferred to a DAV program and that the DAV lacks sufficient available drivers at present. He estimated the county program provides about 500–600 rides per year and described the annual budget for the ride program at about $50,000.

Justin said he will assist the DAV with driver recruitment and work with the VA on staging a van in Red Wing as part of a possible eventual transfer; that transfer would require an MOU and an estimated six months to a year of coordination because the VA uses a tier‑1 FBI background check standard for drivers.

Commissioners approved a motion to reinstate the county driver program for another year and to direct the Veteran Services Office to pursue recruitment and coordination with the DAV and VA.