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Veterans services update; residents raise sewage-backup concerns at Marquette County meeting
Summary
The county Veteran Affairs director reported the office serves about 1,500 of the county's roughly 4,800 veterans and cited increased claims tied to the PACT Act; residents also raised sewage backups in rental units and were directed to the county health department for assistance.
At the April 14 meeting of the Marquette County Board of Commissioners, Diana Dost, Director of the Veteran Affairs Office, provided an update on the office's caseload and services and asked for expanded outreach once staffing is complete.
Dost said Marquette County has about 4,800 veterans and that the Veteran Affairs Office serves roughly 1,500 of them. She reported filing 349 new claims and 172 appeals last year; year-to-date figures presented at the meeting were 71 new claims and 151 appeals. Dost cited the 2022 PACT Act as a factor bringing new veterans forward who had not previously filed claims, noted a shortage of volunteer drivers for the office's transportation program, and asked the board to consider greater public outreach when staffing allows.
During public comment, Margaret Brumm raised concerns about sewage backups affecting some residential rental units in Marquette City and asked where tenants could get help. Commissioner Nordeen directed residents with sewage-backup issues to contact Patrick Jacuzzo at the Marquette County Health Department and briefly referenced warranty-of-habitability questions. A public commenter identified as Mike Smith thanked the board for removing item 10b from the agenda.
The board recorded no formal action tied to the veteran office update or the sewage-backup comments during this meeting; commissioners offered guidance to residents to contact county health services.
