The Marion County Board has been asked to restart the county’s Veterans Assistance Commission.
Finance Committee Chair Chris Koch says no one is sure why the commission disbanded even though it is required by law.
“Where it stopped being a position, I don’t know, and it doesn’t sound like anybody really does know,” Koch said. “It is a state law. Less than half the counties in Illinois have a veteran’s assistance commission active. Like the gentleman from Franklin County said, they are the furthest south county that has one, next one I think being in the Effingham area.”
Koch says the issue will be put on the agenda in the future for discussion and possible action.
“From my understanding, it would be a county employee, but the tax levy that would be set up for it would fund that individual’s position and benefits,” Koch said. “The difference between what they’re paid and their benefits and what the tax levy brings in is what they can use to help with veterans’ assistance.”
Koch says a property tax levy of .0289 percent is recommended to fund the office and provide benefits. The tax would raise $208,000 and raise taxes on a $100,000 home about $8 a year.
The proposal is for the county to provide an office, furnishings and supplies, and to assist with human resources and payroll.
Two veterans, Robert Shehorn of the Centralia American Legion and William Mungovan, the Franklin County Commissioner, approached the county board during public forum with the request. They noted there are currently 2,700 veterans in Marion County who have an average benefit of $7,175.
