Lincoln County commissioners vote to refer five-year veterans services levy to Nov. 3 ballot

Lincoln County commissioners on Aug. 6 voted to direct staff to prepare a ballot title and associated paperwork to refer a five-year local-option levy to fund the county veterans service office to the Nov. 3, 2025, ballot.

The request came from Keith Barnes, Lincoln County veterans service officer, who asked the board to refer “a local levy of 0.03 5¢ per thousand dollar of assessed value starting in 02/1926. This is a 5 year levy,” to secure funding for the office.

Barnes told the board the county veterans service office supports “approximately 5,200 veterans throughout the County” and also serves family members, dependents and personnel at the local Coast Guard station and other uniformed services. He said current funding comes from the county general fund and state lottery pass-through funding that he estimated at about $119,000.

Barnes described three primary uses for the levy revenue: hire an outreach coordinator to expand and coordinate outreach and events (including a women veterans luncheon and stand-down program), provide limited in-county transportation assistance for veterans to medical appointments, and otherwise secure the office’s operations for five years. “Every dollar of general fund money we put into this office returns $25 in benefits into the community,” one commissioner told the room during discussion.

Commissioners expressed unanimous support in discussion. Commissioner Casey Miller made the motion to direct staff to prepare the ballot paperwork and Chair Claire Hall seconded the motion. The board recorded vocal approval — “All in favor, aye” — and directed staff to place the measure on the Nov. 3, 2025, ballot.

Barnes responded to public questions and concerns during the presentation about oversight and use of funds, saying state statute limits use of levy proceeds to the veterans service office and that unspent funds roll over year to year; he also noted a provision that would allow suspension of the levy for a year if rollover funds equaled the regular levy amount.

Why it matters: The levy would create a dedicated, local funding stream intended to increase outreach and services for veterans countywide; final approval depends on voters on Nov. 3, 2025.

The board’s action was procedural: staff were directed to prepare the ballot title and related paperwork for referral. Further details on ballot language, estimated revenue, the exact levy rate wording, and any fiscal-impact statement would be prepared by staff for the November referral process.