Potter County commissioners back resolution supporting property-tax exemption for surviving spouses of veterans who died of service-connected disabilities

Potter County commissioners on Feb. 19 unanimously adopted Resolution 2 of 2026 urging extension of the state Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption to surviving spouses of veterans who ultimately died from service-connected disabilities but were not rated 100% permanent service-connected while alive.

Veterans Affairs Director Mike Pepper told the commissioners that, under current state rules administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, a veteran must have a 100% permanent service-connected disability rating to qualify and that surviving spouses do not become eligible if the veteran died before meeting that rating. Pepper said two local veterans or surviving spouses currently would meet the expanded eligibility if the change were in effect. He also told the board that changing the underlying eligibility would require a state constitutional amendment and that a process to address the matter likely would not conclude before 2028.

The measure, listed as Resolution 2 of 2026, expresses the county's support for extending the exemption to surviving spouses of veterans of any era who ultimately died from service-connected disabilities. Commissioner Robert Rossman moved to adopt the resolution; Commissioner Paul Heimel seconded. The board voted Rossman yes; Heimel yes; Grupp yes.

Why it matters: Local veterans' advocates and affected families say property-tax exemptions can provide meaningful relief to households on fixed incomes. The resolution does not itself change state law but records Potter County's support for a statutory or constitutional change at the state level and documents local need and intent.

Details and next steps: The resolution references the state program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and cites eligibility guidance in Pennsylvania County Code Title 51 Chapter 89. The commissioners' adoption is a formal expression of support that county officials and veterans' services staff may use in discussions with state lawmakers and agencies; any actual expansion of eligibility will require action at the state level. Veterans Affairs Director Mike Pepper said county staff will continue outreach and that the earliest realistic statewide change is not expected before 2028.