Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veterans Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sawyer County veterans office: perpetual‑care reimbursement set at $4 per grave; claims produced $239,457 in retro payments last month
Summary
The veterans service office reported retroactive benefit payments, outreach activity, and reminded town clerks about the county’s $4‑per‑grave perpetual‑care reimbursement window that opens July 1.
The Sawyer County veterans service office reported it filed 88 disability‑compensation claims last month that produced $239,457.47 in retroactive payments to veterans, and reminded clerks that the county’s perennial $4 per grave reimbursement window for perpetual care opened July 1.
The veterans service officer said the office handled 479 phone calls, 789 letters/emails/faxes and 251 office visits in June. As a comparison to 2024, calls were slightly down while letters and visits were up. The office also co‑hosted counseling sessions with the La Crosse Vet Center.
The clerk and veterans officer explained the perpetual‑care reimbursement process: county staff mail notices to towns and cemeteries; eligible cemetery organizations or towns may apply for $4 per veteran interred in their cemetery between July 1 and the January close of the application window. The veterans office budgets about $7,000 annually for that program and said it would consider asking the board for an increase if applications exceed the budget.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about the $4 rate and reimbursement mechanics. The veterans officer said some towns and cemeteries routinely apply, and the county distributes reimbursements through the clerk’s office.
No formal action was taken; the veterans office is monitoring claims and the perpetual‑care budget and will return with any request for a budget increase if needed.
