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Potter County adopts resolution urging state to extend veteran property‑tax exemption to surviving spouses
Summary
Potter County Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2 (2026) supporting extensions of the state Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption to surviving spouses of veterans who died from service‑connected disabilities; county officials said a state constitutional amendment would be required to change eligibility and that two local households would be affected.
The Potter County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 19, 2026 adopted Resolution No. 2 of 2026 supporting an extension of the state Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption to surviving spouses of veterans who ultimately died from service‑connected disabilities but who did not hold a 100% permanent service‑connected disability rating while alive.
Veterans Affairs Director Mike Pepper told the board that the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers the state program and that the statutory eligibility requires a 100% permanent service‑connected disability rating by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, wartime service, ownership and occupancy of the dwelling and state financial-eligibility limits. Pepper said that a change allowing surviving spouses to qualify would require a constitutional amendment at the state level and added that such an amendment is unlikely before 2028. He also said two local veterans or surviving spouses would benefit if the change were in effect.
Commissioner Robert W. Rossman moved to adopt the resolution; Commissioner Paul W. Heimel seconded. The board recorded Rossman yes; Heimel yes; Grupp yes and the resolution was approved.
The resolution states Potter County's intent to support extending the exemption to surviving spouses of veterans of any era who ultimately died from service‑connected disabilities. The county document notes current state law limits surviving spouses from receiving the exemption when the veteran did not meet the 100% permanent service‑connection requirement while living.
Because the change would require state constitutional action rather than only county implementation, county officials characterized the resolution as a statement of support and advocacy rather than a standalone local policy change. The county did not adopt changes to local tax administration at the meeting.
The resolution text adopted by the board appears in the meeting packet; the board recorded adoption at the Feb. 19 meeting and the document was signed and attested as part of the meeting record.
