Veteran’s Service Office Relocating Downtown to Slash Operational Overhead and Improve Access

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Codington County Veteran’s Service Office (VSO) will officially migrate its administrative headquarters to downtown Watertown late this summer, following commission approval of a new commercial lease agreement that simultaneously lowers county rental expenditures and eliminates long-standing vehicular access obstacles for area veterans.

Veterans Service Officer Jay Roberts presented the relocation proposal, requesting authorization to lease a commercial suite located at 10 North Broadway, designated as Suite 104. The office is currently located on 19th Street, a high-traffic corridor that Roberts notes has become increasingly hazardous and difficult for elderly or disabled veterans to navigate when accessing the facility’s parking lot.

Monthly Operational Budget Comparison

Expenditure Category	Current 19th Street Location	New Broadway Suite 104	Net Monthly Savings
Base Commercial Rent	$1,375.00	$1,594.75	+$219.75 (Rent Increase)
Utilities & High-Speed Internet	$273.34	$0.00 (Lease Included)	-$273.34 (County Savings)
Total Monthly VSO Overhead	$1,648.34	$1,594.75	-$53.59 (Net Savings)

While the base rent at the Broadway location reflects a nominal numeric increase, the lease contract is structured as an all-inclusive utility agreement. By erasing independent county accounts for heating, electricity, and high-speed fiber internet, the VSO’s net monthly operating footprint drops from $1,648.34 down to a fixed $1,594.75, yielding immediate fiscal savings. Furthermore, the downtown location shifts exterior property maintenance, including winter sidewalk snow removal, onto the landlord’s corporate staff.

The commission approved the relocation timeline, setting the active move date for August 22, 2026. To facilitate the execution of the lease, the board authorized a multi-month initial payment voucher of $3,520.50, due on August 21, covering the prorated portion for the remaining days of August and the full prepayment for the September 2026 rent.