The Sawyer County Veterans Service Office reported high monthly contact and claims activity and told the administration committee the county brings significant federal veteran benefits back to local residents, while county staff also described next steps on a separate veterans tribute memorial project.

Veterans service officer Mister Elliott said the office handled 419 phone calls, 596 letters/emails/faxes and 213 office visits in July, and reported 907 disability claims filed year to date with a retroactive payment totaling $256,348.16. "We usually average somewhere around, 24 to 25 I'd say 25,000,000 in in vet in benefits that come back to this county," Elliott said, describing the broader scale of benefits his office helps secure for residents.

Elliott emphasized that the number of claims can be misleading because a single claim may include many items that each require separate review. He described the office's low operating costs, saying support for telehealth and outreach often involves staff time and use of county space rather than direct payments: "We'll load that up in the computer... give them a room that's... privacy and allow them to see, seek, you know, counseling," he said.

The office also highlighted limits in state capacity for veterans' residential care. Elliott said Wisconsin recently closed two veterans homes, leaving one remaining facility in Union Grove that he described as fully occupied. "If the state really wants to do this, the state of Wisconsin... had a choice on what they cut and what they didn't cut for the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs," he said, arguing that gaps in state services require county officials to press for change.

Committee member Miss Cecil thanked Elliott for his work and asked how county resources link to veterans' mental-health supports. Elliott said many clinical services are provided by federal or VA partners and noted the county can help by connecting veterans to existing state and federal benefits or by advocating for expanded services at those levels.

Separately, county administration provided an update on the veterans tribute memorial project. County staff said SEH (the consultant) has completed visual inspections and is conducting a historical study. The county administrator described wanting clearer design plans, material specifications and a fund-raising strategy before bidding construction. He proposed offering commemorative bricks or tiles as one fundraising option and said the county will follow formal bid procedures when the design and budget are ready.

On the tribute's property status, staff told the committee the county does not yet own the proposed site. Committee members asked for a timeline and for the administrator to bring a schedule and cost estimate to the administrative committee as part of strategic-plan and budget discussions.

No formal action was taken on either the operational reports or the memorial update; the committee requested follow-up information and a timeline to inform future budgeting and potential fundraising.

The committee also discussed outreach events the veterans office organizes. Elliott said the office hosts "coffee and conversation on the first Wednesday of every month" and that La Crosse Vet Center group and individual sessions continue to be made available, sometimes with the county providing space and technical assistance when VA partners need it.

Members said they value the veterans office's work and asked staff to return with a project timeline and estimated costs for the tribute memorial so the administrative committee can consider funding needs during the budget process.