ISHPEMING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Marquette County Department of Veterans Affairs is reminding voters of a millage on the upcoming August 4 ballot.
The VA covers various supportive assistance for around 1,500 area veterans. Since the PACT Act passed in 2022, those numbers have only increased within the county, leading to the proposal of an extention of funding through 2035.
The millage asks for 0.0500 mills ($0.05 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the years 2027 through 2035, estimating to raise $171,900 for the veteran services in its first year. If passed, the millage would also allow the VA to hire another full-time Veteran Service Officer, which would greatly increase access to around-the-clock care.
“We’re scheduling out to September right now because we’ve had so many veterans that want our help, we just don’t have the staffing to provide that under a very close timeline,” said VA Director, Diana Doss. “If we’re very busy in scheduling, I’m concerned that we may not be able to serve a veteran in crisis that needs to come in without an appointment.”
Doss also says they are always searching for volunteer assistance, especially in transportaion. For more information, call 906-373-6191.
