Tony Charles Sr. of Janesville urged the Rock County Board of Supervisors during the public hearing on the 2026 recommended budget to add a receptionist position to the Rock County Veterans Service Office to relieve counselors and improve access for veterans.

Charles said the office has four professional counselors who in 2024 handled roughly 2,700 veterans benefit requests and that demand has risen sharply since the 2022 PACT Act changes. He told the board a receptionist would manage daily phone and walk-in traffic and schedule appointments, allowing counselors to work uninterrupted with veterans during appointments.

"If there was a receptionist who could handle the many, many calls they get every day... it would be a tremendous help," Charles said, describing an experience when no receptionist was available and he helped direct two people waiting to be seen.

Neil Dupree of Janesville, the second signer, told the board he would support borrowing to pay for critical services for residents, even though he would not welcome an increase in interest costs. "If one of my family members had high medical bills or serious housing issues... I would borrow money for it," Dupree said, urging supervisors to prioritize services for those struggling.

The chair closed the public hearing after the two speakers who had signed up concluded. No other public commenters signed up for that item at the meeting.

The public comments were recorded during consideration of the recommended 2026 county budget and will be part of the record as supervisors continue debate and decision-making on budget items.