Placer County Municipal Code Art. 2.80 Veterans Advisory Council and Service Office

"Armed services"

as used in this article, means and includes all branches of military services, which are made the subject of legislation by the United States of America, or of any state or territory in the United States, for the purpose of extending to its members, or former members discharged from such service, any benefits, or services whatsoever.

"Veteran"

as used in this article, means and includes any living person, who is serving, or who has served in the armed services, as herein defined, and has been honorably discharged therefrom and shall also extend to the families and dependents of any such person, or of any deceased person, who has served therein, or to whom, or to any whom, there are benefits of any legislation, whether existing at the date hereof, or subsequently enacted, are, or have been, or shall be, extended by such legislation.

(Prior code § 2.700)

There is created in and for the county an office to be known as "veterans service office of Placer County," and a council to be known as "Placer County veterans advisory council."

(Prior code § 2.702)

The veterans service office of Placer County shall hereinafter be referred to as "service office," and the Placer County veterans advisory council shall hereinafter be referred to as "council."

(Prior code § 2.704)

The council shall be composed entirely of veterans and members shall be appointed in the following manner: each district supervisor may appoint one council member, who resides in their district. Additionally, each post, camp or barracks of each veterans' organization that exists in Placer County, and recognized by the county of Placer, state of California, and which is included, but is not limited to, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Semper Fi, Fleet Reserve Association, Disabled American Veterans, American Veterans (Amvets), or their respective auxiliary chapter may designate one of their members for appointment to the council. Not-for-profit organizations, recognized by the county of Placer and state of California, whose purpose is solely serving veterans, may also designate one veteran member. The names of the veterans so designated by such veterans' organizations shall be submitted to the board of supervisors as the duly appointed members of the council. There shall be no more than 20 members of the council.

(Prior code § 2.706; Ord. 6288-B, 12/3/2024; Ord. 6355-B, 1/20/2026)

Members of the council shall receive $30 per meeting attended and reimbursement for each mile actually traveled for meeting attendance based on and limited to the non-taxable rate permitted by the internal revenue service, with a maximum limit on compensation for 18 meetings per county fiscal year; actual and necessary expenses incidental to the proper execution of their duties and responsibilities, and such necessary traveling and other official expenditures necessitated by their official duties.

(Prior code § 2.708; Ord. 6288-B, 12/3/2024; Ord. 6355-B, 1/20/2026)

The term of office of the members of the council shall be for a period of four years from the date of their appointment or until their successors shall have been designated and appointed as above provided.

(Prior code § 2.710; Ord. 6288-B, 12/3/2024)

The council shall operate under and by authority of the board of supervisors, and it shall be its duty to make to the board of supervisors such recommendations from time to time as may be pertinent to the work of the service office, and which in the judgment of the council may be deemed necessary and proper in the furtherance of the work of such office to coordinate the activities of the various veterans organizations; civic, patriotic and fraternal bodies in the interest of veteran welfare. It will meet with the various federal, state and local governmental agencies in securing such aid for veterans or their dependents as provided by law, and will assist in the promotion of such legislation and policy beneficial to the harmony and welfare of the veteran.

(Prior code § 2.712)

The council shall hold meetings at least once a month at a designated time and place, such meetings to be called "state meetings." The council shall hold other meetings at the call of the chair of the council, or upon the written request of any three members of the council.

(Prior code § 2.80.714; Ord. 6288-B, 12/3/2024)

The council shall appoint a chairperson, and such other officers as it deems necessary for the transaction of its business. A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum, and majority vote of the members of the council present at any regularly called meeting shall be sufficient to transact business at such meeting.

(Prior code § 2.716)

It shall be the duty of the council to act and be an advisory body to the board of supervisors on all matters pertaining to veterans affairs. The council shall also assist the veterans service officer in the discharge of his or her duties.

(Prior code § 2.718)

Former § 2.80.110, Preparation of budget by council, adopted by Prior code § 2.720, was repealed by Ord. 6355-B, 1/20/2026.

There is established the position of county veterans service officer in accordance with the provisions of California Military and Veterans Code, Section 970.

(Prior code § 2.737)

It shall be the duty of the service officer to render all necessary aid and assistance to veterans, as that term is hereinafter defined, and to their families or dependents, who are entitled to the benefits of any existing legislation, or any legislation or regulation hereafter enacted or promulgated by the United States of America, or any governmental department thereof, or of the state of California, or any other state of the United States, to obtain the benefits of such legislation, and to perform such other duties in conformity therewith as directed by the council.

(Prior code § 2.738)

The veterans service office is a program within health and human services and the veterans service officer shall be subject to supervision as determined by the director of health and human services.

(Prior code § 2.740; Ord. 5962-B § 2, 2019)

A. The service officer shall keep record of all businesses transacted and make a monthly report to be filed in his or her office and he or she shall keep neat, business-like files on all claims, copies of all letters and papers pertaining to such claims.

B. The service officer shall compile a yearly report of all his or her activities, travel and expenses; one copy to be presented to the director of health and human services or designee at the time the budget is presented and one copy to each member of the council to be placed on file in his or her office.

(Prior code § 2.744; Ord. 5962-B § 3, 2019)

The veterans service officer shall not collect or receive any fee or donation for services, from any individual except in accordance with the laws of the state.

(Prior code § 2.746)

The books, records and files of the service officer shall be subject to audit as may be ordered by the director of health and human services, or as required by law.

(Prior code § 2.750; Ord. 5962-B § 4, 2019)