Veterans services asks for debris removal, nursing‑home support and state match for new home

A veterans services official told the subcommittee the agency recently received property for an Augusta veterans cemetery and discovered substantial debris (concrete and rebar) from prior damage; the agency said it still needs about $200,000 for debris removal and site prep.

The agency also said a current procurement to operate its Milledgeville skilled nursing home will likely produce an operational shortfall of approximately $5 million, and that the state is exploring a major capital project to build a new veterans home. The official described a 35% state match requirement: roughly $38.5 million in state funds matched by approximately $71.5 million in federal support for a new facility.

Why it matters: The veterans home request is a major capital ask that would require multi‑year commitment; the cemetery and operating shortfalls affect near-term service delivery to veterans and require budget adjustments.

Committee action: The subcommittee thanked the presenters and indicated it would consider the requests as part of broader budget deliberations; no vote was taken at the hearing.