DeSoto County supervisors have decided to make a new veterans service officer position a part-time job.

County Administrator Michael Garriga had argued to make it a full-time position. He said that DeSoto has one of the highest populations of veterans in the state, yet it collects a lower amount of benefits on behalf of those veterans.

A veterans service officer helps county veterans and their families apply for benefits.

Board president Tommy Lewis said he thought it made more economic sense to make the position part time, to avoid the cost of salary and benefits for a full-time job.

The board made the decision last week.