Boston hearing examines plan to double veterans property-tax exemption, add COLA

The Boston City Council Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing Tuesday on docket 1303, an order to increase property‑tax exemptions for veterans that would double current maximum exemption levels and establish a cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) tied to state law.

The measure, sponsored by Councilor Brian Worrell and Council President Louie Jin and referred to the committee Aug. 28, 2024, would apply the doubling provision to fiscal year 2025 and fiscal year 2026 and allow the COLA to take effect in subsequent years under state timing. "This order today would be for FY25, FY26 in fiscal years going forward. It will allow the city to essentially double its property tax exemption for veterans," Councilor Brian Worrell said at the hearing.

Why it matters: committee members and city officials said the change would direct more relief to veterans, particularly those on fixed incomes, and that the city currently bears the additional cost of locally adopted exemptions. "We are in a fiscally strong position as a city, and I believe we are in strong enough position to give this type of relief to veterans," Worrell said.

City testimony and technical details Commissioner Santiago, the city's Commissioner of Veteran Services, described outreach and events leading to Veterans Day and urged veterans to use accredited claims agents. "I urge all of my veterans out there, all of my fellow veterans out there to use accredited claims agents," Santiago said, warning about fee‑based commercial agents that charge veterans for assistance the veteran has already earned.

Nick Irenello, Commissioner of Assessment for the City of Boston, said the proposal has two parts: the doubling provision and a COLA adjustment. Irenello told the committee that the city already applies a doubling provision under an existing local statute for some groups and that the COLA portion would be new and is tied to state timing. "I think it's an excellent proposal, that helps out a constituency that I think can really use the help," he said.

Officials gave the committee preliminary figures for the existing veterans exemptions. For fiscal year 2024, the city granted 1,156 exemptions tied to veterans programs; the reported total municipal cost associated with those exemptions (including the locally adopted doubling) was just over $1,100,000. Irenello said the COLA provision, because of when the state statute takes effect, would likely become operative for fiscal year 2026 while the doubling is already in effect for fiscal year 2025.

Council members pressed for implementation details. Council President Louie Jin asked for a schedule of events and for the list of veterans benefit specialists; Commissioner Santiago said the veterans benefit specialists are accredited and that there are four such specialists in the city office. Councilor Weber asked whether positions remain open; officials said the veterans benefit specialist positions were filled.

Officials also clarified funding and reimbursement: the administration told the committee the city does not receive state reimbursement for the additional local amounts it elects to provide when it increases exemption levels; any added costs from local policy decisions would be a municipal expense. "For any of these implemented changes, we don't get reimbursement. So that's a cost that the city chooses to carry on its own," Irenello said.

Scope of exemptions Committee discussion clarified that the COLA would adjust existing exemption schedules rather than create a new, broader category of beneficiaries. Irenello and other city staff said current veterans exemptions vary by disability level, with base exemption amounts ranging from $400 to $1,500 before doubling or COLA adjustments; some active‑duty National Guard and reserve members already qualify for full property exemptions under separate provisions.

Process and next steps No vote was taken at the hearing, and the committee received no public testimony. Chair Worrell closed the session saying he looked forward to refining language for the order. "Looking forward to making direct recommended change in language in this... ordinance and looking forward to getting this passed," he said before adjourning the hearing.

Public outreach and related state law City officials said they are preparing a fact sheet on the HERO Act (Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing our Service members and Veterans Act), newly enacted at the state level, which includes provisions on benefit expansion and a COLA mechanism that the city would implement if and when the state timing allows. Commissioner Santiago said the city coordinates outreach through community events, veterans posts, and partners including the Executive Office of Veterans Services and local veteran organizations.

The hearing record notes sponsors and absences: the order was filed by Councilor Brian Worrell and Council President Louie Jin; Councilor Flynn said by letter he would recuse himself from discussion and any vote on the matter, and Councilors Santana, Murphy and Peppet were recorded as absent.