Adding Camo To The San Marcos Culture

Well I’m back from China and it looks like me leaving the country paid dividends for the Bobcats while I was gone! It was a wonderful trip, but that’s another blog topic for another day…

Some have probably noticed a topic gaining steam in San Marcos politics–veterans issues. A few candidates have brought it up in campaigns, while regular citizens have made use of the public comment to make their support known. This is generally a good idea, though I am beginning to worry that San Marcos is becoming a little “housing incentive happy” with its efforts toward university staff and now healthcare industry employees. Perhaps promoting homeownership in San Marcos is another blog topic worthy of discussion…

As is typical of city government, the lazy answer has already been put out there with proposals to create yet another appointed board “to investigate the veteran issue further.” As you might have guessed, I would rather have current elected leadership step up to the plate on what should be a relatively simple topic to tackle: making San Marcos an attractive place for veterans in order to compliment the university’s efforts. If they want another board, perhaps it is time to consider a more holistic board to look at community initiatives, including the existing housing incentives and maybe even the community development block grant program.

San Marcos has already got the image aspect of veteran’s issues covered with what is regarded as one of the best Veteran’s Day efforts in the country. So what we’re looking at is local government public policy toward veterans, which is really the meat of any effort toward veteran’s issues. As many are aware, United States veterans have access to a multitude of programs through the Veteran’s Administration and state programs. Therefore, any policy adopted by the City must be careful not to duplicate benefits already provided elsewhere. Existing programs include:

• The G.I. Bill – provides funding for tuition, housing allowances while attending school and a stipend for books and supplies. This bill has variants including the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, Montgomery G.I. Bill for Selective Reserves/National Guard and the VEAP Post-Vietnam Era Educational Assistance Bill.
• The VA provides educational assistance to dependents if the veteran is disabled or deceased.
• The State of Texas provides the Hazlewood Exemption for Texas veterans that have exhausted their Federal VA benefits.
• The State of Texas offers a property tax exemption to disabled veterans.
• Access to healthcare and military base facilities.

I have spent some time discussing this issue with area veterans to learn more about their unmet needs. Texas State has already taken a lead and is recognized as one of the most veteran-friendly campuses in the country. They have done this primarily by offering strong, coordinated guidance counseling and active recruitment. Some veterans indicated that while Texas State does an excellent job training veterans academically, they are also interested in vocational training typically provided at technical schools and community colleges. Enough time has passed since the ACC voter fraud fiasco that it is time for San Marcos to take another hard look at joining the Austin Community College District. This will provide veterans another opportunity for education following their service, along with the added benefit of reducing dropout rates at the high school by giving students not interested in college a secondary education alternative.

Many veterans come to San Marcos because of the GI Bill, which gives them access to higher education following service to their country. However, San Marcos lacks jobs for these veterans once they graduate, forcing them to look toward other cities. San Marcos needs to refocus economic development efforts and incentives toward providing skilled, well-paying jobs that will make San Marcos not just a destination for veterans pursuing higher education, but for veterans interested in making San Marcos the permanent home for their families.

Veterans I spoke with complained about the lack of VA healthcare facilities nearby, noting that they have to travel to Austin or San Antonio. With the growing populations in the corridor between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos would be a logical location for a VA healthcare facility. San Marcos needs to reach out to the VA, nearby cities and counties, and healthcare providers to bring convenient VA healthcare options to a central location in San Marcos.

Veterans that have served honorably in defense of our country have also earned tax relief. San Marcos leadership should pursue establishment of a special homestead property tax exemption for veterans to reduce their property tax burden. Perhaps they can work with the other taxing entities, such as the school district, to pursue such a policy with their property tax funds.

Veterans are also faced with entering a less-active lifestyle following their departures from the military. Maintaining their health is an important priority for them. San Marcos should waive use fees for the San Marcos Activity Center for veterans and their dependents to promote health and family activity.

I also understand that while veterans have access to special loan products and housing assistance through the G.I. Bill, some gaps exist that can cause financial strain on a recently discharged veteran. Several commented they lack savings for closing costs and a need for gap financing when purchasing a home. San Marcos should investigate the feasibility and need for a veterans’ homeownership assistance program to provide revolving or deferred forgivable loans to veterans purchasing a home in San Marcos. There may be potential for a similar program to help veterans renting a home with deposit costs and potentially a few months rental assistance as they establish themselves and search for employment. In fact, waiving utility deposits would be another great step.

You have probably noticed that I advocate working with neighboring jurisdictions. Regionalism is a great way to gain wonderful programs that are only feasible if certain economies of scale are maintained. Neighboring jurisdictions also have veteran needs. San Marcos, working with area cities and counties, should establish a 2-1-1 veteran hotline that will provide a one-stop shop for veterans and families to receive all available information regarding Federal, State and local veteran resources, saving them frustration. Such services would include referral/crisis services, a database of local government health and human services, healthcare information, clothing and food program information, employment counseling referral, rent and utility assistance information, legal assistance, counseling, child care options and mental health counseling.

Finally, though this is an internal employment issue with the city, San Marcos should strive to become a Department of Defense Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) “Five-Star Employer” that places high value on including veterans in its workforce. San Marcos may have a good mentor with the City of Austin to help them achieve this noble goal.

Veterans are a great population to have in your city. They are a diverse group that tend to take an active role in government and non-profit organizations, have strong work ethics, and are often sought-after by employers. Personally, I think San Marcos would look good with a little more camo in its culture!

Chance Sparks

chance@bobcatfans.com