Board of Equalization approves veteran vehicle tax exemption after commissioners cite statutory rigidity

The Sarpy County Board of Equalization voted to approve a motor‑vehicle property tax exemption application for veteran Martin Fagen after hearing that dealership and DMV processing delayed his filing. Fagen told the board he purchased a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado on March 7, that the dealership’s paperwork was delivered to the DMV on April 15 and that he appeared at the DMV April 20 — roughly two weeks beyond the 30‑day filing window he said he did not realize was strictly enforced.

The county treasurer told commissioners the office is bound by a 30‑day statute and records show Fagen’s purchase and county filing dates put his submission outside that period. The county attorney advised that the motor‑vehicle statutes’ language offers no official exception and that the DMV has indicated it provides no administrative appeal, which is why the denial returned to the board for review. The attorney also said a board approval could be appealed to the body named in the transcript as "Turk," and that such appeals can take years to resolve.

Several commissioners expressed sympathy for veterans and frustration with a statutory rule they called inflexible. Commissioner Burmeister moved to approve Fagen’s exemption application; Commissioner Warren seconded the motion, and the board voted to approve the exemption. The attorney noted that approval could be subject to future appeal by the state, and that the applicant would still need to reapply in subsequent years if applicable.

The ruling applies only to Fagen’s current application for the tax year at issue and does not change the statutory 30‑day deadline. The Board of Equalization then adjourned.