WASHINGTON

Officially, Sue Rich will retire as the county Veterans Affairs Officer and the General Assistance director in March 2025; however, she told the supervisors in a work session November 28, hiring a replacement by July 1, 2024 would allow for eight months of training with Rich well as time for background checks and employee accreditation.

Given the duties of the positions, Rich, who joined the county offices in 1991, suggested the board make the VA post full-time. Currently, she works approximately 30 hours weekly, including heading the county’s General Assistance Department. As a result, the supervisors may need to review and possibly revise the budget for fiscal 2024-25. Rich also noted that a 40-hour week may provide more services for veterans.

Terry Philips, a member of the county’s VA Commission, also recommended making the job full-time, stressing that a new hire could potentially leave after eight months for a full-time job with higher pay. He added that has occurred in other counties. The position is an appointive one from the supervisors and will be advertised, and, as noted by the board, likely filled well before early spring of 2025.