Oneida County Veterans Service Commission to draft resolution seeking oversight of Veterans Service Office and review grant rules

The Oneida County Veterans Service Commission on March 30 approved routine agenda items, reviewed a quarterly list of veteran grants and directed its chair to draft a resolution asking the county Human Services Committee to designate the commission as the oversight body for the Veterans Service Office.

Chair Brian Jopek opened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. in conference room #1 of the Oneida County Courthouse. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the commission unanimously approved the agenda and the minutes from the Dec. 15, 2025 meeting (motions made by Mark Espeseth and seconded by Brian Jopek; motions carried). No members of the public addressed the commission during the public comment period.

The commission reviewed and signed per diem vouchers and examined a list of grants paid over the last quarter to veterans in need. The body discussed updating its Grant Requirements document and agreed to consult Corporate Counsel to confirm the commission has legal authority to amend the policy; the chair also noted an option to retain outside legal counsel who specialize in this area of law. A motion to approve the grants paid was made by Brian Jopek and seconded by Mark Espeseth and was recorded as carried.

Commission members reviewed the donation account and noted one donation of $36.94 since the last meeting. Mark Espeseth moved and Brian Jopek seconded approval of the donation account report; the motion carried.

Regarding organizational oversight, the commission received an update explaining why it is not currently the oversight committee for the Veterans Service Office. Chair Brian Jopek said he will draft a resolution to present to the Human Services Committee to relay the commission’s intention to assume oversight. Jopek said he will check with Corporate Counsel to assist in drafting the resolution and indicated there is also the option of engaging outside counsel with subject-matter expertise.

The commission listed items for its next agenda — an update on the oversight resolution and the donation account build-up — and scheduled the next meeting for June 15, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m. on a motion by Mark Espeseth, seconded by Brian Jopek.

The record does not include vote tallies or any detailed list of grant recipients; the minutes note only that motions were made, seconded and that each motion "carried."