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Veteran asks Fergus County to raise burial benefit to $500 and consider county veterans representative

Fergus County Board of Commissioners · March 31, 2026

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Summary

Public commenter Sandy Ann Bauer asked the county to raise the veterans' burial benefit to $500, explore a county veterans representative position, and better coordinate local care-in-the-community services with the new VA clinic; commissioners said they will seek information from VA representatives at an upcoming resource fair.

During the public-comment period, Sandy Ann Bauer (S5) urged Fergus County to increase its veterans’ burial benefit to $500, saying the county last raised the amount more than five years ago and that the change could be effective July 1 so funeral homes can align with the new level. “I’d like if you guys have enough money in the budget, I’d like that to start July 1,” Bauer said.

Bauer estimated the county would pay roughly $1,500 annually at the higher rate based on recent local burials and advocated that the county create a veterans representative position—citing Ravalli County’s model—to coordinate services and act as a county-based, taxpayer-accountable contact. “I think it would give the veterans in Fergus County an unbiased representative,” she said.

She also urged the county to coordinate with the VA’s "care in the community" program and to make fuller use of the new Lewistown VA clinic, which she said is slated to open in November (the transcript also referenced May/June completion dates). Commissioners (S6 and S4) said VA representatives are scheduled to attend the resource share fair and that staff will invite them to bring information for veterans at that event.

Earlier in the public-comment period a deputy director from Tony Mountain Development Corporation (S7) read a letter thanking the Fergus County Road Department and Facilities crew for assisting with a county building cleanout; commissioners acknowledged the appreciation and said they would pass thanks to the crews.

The board did not take immediate action on Bauer’s requests during the meeting but commissioners asked staff to pursue VA information and to consider the proposal for a county veterans representative.