Veterans Services highlights cemetery expansion and modernization; committee forwards budget to Finance

The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services told the Senate State and Local Government Committee that recent investments have reduced staff turnover, increased customer satisfaction and allowed the department to expand cemetery partnerships and claims services.

Commissioner Tommy Baker said turnover fell from 19% to 7% and that the department's customer-satisfaction score is 98% from more than 8,000 surveys. He highlighted 244 businesses in a "veteran-ready" recognition program, 521 cemetery partnerships, and a new federal grant opportunity for a state veterans cemetery in the Upper Cumberland region (Sparta, White County), for which the state has the match and is proceeding with initial design work.

Baker and staff also described modernization efforts: the department has implemented a Tennessee Veterans Benefit claims system across all field offices, installed Power BI analytics to monitor operations in real time, and launched a Veteran Connect digital referral platform intended to link more than 1,500 providers and close referral loops.

Committee members asked about virtual appeals (73 of 95 counties participating), honor-guard stipend uptake (four groups contracted, Parker's Crossroads among them) and capital maintenance. The chair signaled concern over reversioned funds and maintenance needs; no changes to the department's forward of the budget were recorded and the committee voted to move DVS's budget to Finance.