The levy would charge residents five cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. For an average home with an assessed value of around $226,000, the cost would be less than $12 per year.
Lisa Pickart, director of the Veterans Service Office, said they help veterans navigate the complex web of state and federal benefits available to them.
“It stabilizes these people,” she said. “It keeps their families healthy and together. It creates a better, healthy environment for the veterans in our community.”
The office’s website says it helps with benefits such as property tax exemption, GI Bill benefits, home equity loan programs and education grants for veterans and their dependents. Staff serve as advocates and case managers to help veterans apply for and receive benefits.
Pickart said they helped Josephine County veterans access the more than $77 million in benefits they received last fiscal year.
She said approving a five-year tax on her office would guarantee a stable source of funding to continue her work. Her department’s funding was cut in the last county budget, which Pickart said led to a reduction in services. The proposed levy would raise an estimated $2.7 million over five years.
Chris Barnett, an Air Force veteran who is also running for county commissioner, said he didn’t understand the importance of VSOs until he started referring people to them as a first sergeant.
“I have to say, the benefit the community gets from the VSO office is just incredible,” Barnett said. “These people are putting their money right back into the local economy.”
Commissioner John West said he was convinced of the need to vote on the tax after hearing the opinions of a number of veterans at Wednesday’s meeting.
“It’s very clear to me from the group here that they want it on the ballot,” West said. “I have no problem at all putting it on the ballot and supporting it on the ballot.”
Josephine County voters have always opposed new taxes at the polls, but veterans said this common-sense approach will resonate with residents.
