In August 2008, voters in Muskegon County passed a renewal of a tax to fund the Muskegon County Department of Veterans Affairs. It collects around $300,000 annually.
The department's director wants voters to have the opportunity to decide this August if they want the tax to continue for another 10 years.
The tax supports a number of services at the Muskegon County Veterans' Service Center at 165 East Apple Ave. The services range from food assistance to counseling. Veterans, their spouses and widows of veterans can also receive help in locating military service records and getting help finding a job.
"We really do have a one-stop shop," said Dave Eling, Executive Director of the Muskegon County Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eling says he's proud of the programs and services county tax dollars have supported since 1994.
And he fears Muskegon County Commissioners will allow the millage to expire.
"We are going to loose the county Department of Veterans Affairs," said Eling. "25 years we put all this stuff in place, it will be gone."
Eling says he and other veterans will attend the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners meeting March 22 and ask the board to put a renewal on the ballot.
He believes commissioner are hesitant to take action because in November, Muskegon County voters strongly rejected a youth and family criminal justice tax.
"Our request now is to let the voters decide--that's all we are asking," said Eling.
"They will vote yes or no like they did 25 years ago."
If nothing is done the tax will be collected for the last time in December of this year.
Funds collected in December would support veterans affairs services into 2019.
"We collectively as a commission have decided it probably would not be the best time," said Ben Cross, Chair of the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners.
Cross says commissioners heard what voters said by rejecting the youth and family services tax in November. It's something they wouldn't want to happen if they seek a Veterans Affairs millage renewal too soon.
"It's something that's important to all of us on the commission," said Cross. "It's just that now is not the time."
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