Veterans Affairs proposal on Nov. 8 ballot

Washtenaw County voters will soon decide whether to support an operational millage for the County Department of Veterans Affairs and services to veterans, their survivors, and dependents.

The proposal, as it appears on the ballot, states, “Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed each year for all purposes on real and tangible personal property in Washtenaw County, Michigan be increased as provided in Article 9, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution and the Board of Commissioners of the County be authorized to levy a tax not to exceed one tenth of one mill ($.0.10 per $1,000) of state equalized valuation of such property for eight (8) years beginning with the December 1, 2016 tax levy (which will generate estimated revenues of $1,535,993 in the first year of the millage) for the purpose of funding Washtenaw County’s obligation to provide financial relief and services for Washtenaw County veterans, including the payment of eligible indigent veteran claims, and to fund the administration of the Washtenaw County Department of Veterans Affairs?”

The levy currently on the ballot would add a mere $10 per year to the tax bill of a home valued at $200,000 ($100,000 SEV). While this question would seem to be a no-brainer, it is not without its share of controversy.

Several years ago, without a vote of the people, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners relied on the authority of the Veterans Relief Fund Act of 1899 to levy .037 mills ($3.70 per year for a home with $100,000 SEV) for this purpose. A lawsuit, filed by three County residents representing Taxpayers United Michigan Foundation in April, alleged that this levy–in addition to other small taxes supporting county roads and economic development–violated the 1978 Headlee Amendment was subsequently dismissed by the Michigan Court of Appeals in August.

In the meanwhile, however, the County Commissioners voted in July to seek a ballot proposal for .10 mills. The veterans tax proposal passed 7-1, with Commissioner Conan Smith the dissenting vote. Smith, who represented the county’s 9th District, resigned from his seat in mid-August.

Services include assistance in navigating the claims filing process with the Federal Government (US Department of Veterans Affairs) for sicknesses, injuries, illnesses, or diseases incurred in active military service; federal death benefits; and survivor benefits; case management and ongoing support for VA benefit recipients; filing and processing of Washtenaw County burial allowance claims; financial assistance for indigent veterans, their survivors, and their dependents; and records retrieval from state and federal government archives.

According to the county website, the Washtenaw County Department of Veterans Affairs has seen an increase in requests for financial assistance, mental health services, dental services which are not available through the VA hospital system, and assistance through the Veterans Treatment Court

The proposal for an Operational Millage, if passed, could generate slightly over $1.5 million to provide support for veterans and their dependents in Washtenaw County. Washtenaw County would join the growing number of counties in the State of Michigan that currently operate their Veterans Affairs Programs from Operational Millages.

Funding will help substantially increase outreach to  County veterans including education of what benefits are available and helping veterans access benefits earned by their service; provide funding for increased collaboration to house homeless veterans; increase outreach to veterans and their dependents at Washtenaw County colleges and universities; and assist veterans with job placement and resume services.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.