Veterans service officer requests temporary hire as state tax changes increase workload

Gibson County's veteran service officer told commissioners he needs temporary help to handle an expected surge in workload after state tax-law changes affecting disabled-veteran property-tax deductions.

"I am your county veteran service officer and I'm here tonight to ask your permission to hire a part-time employee," said George Pickers. He explained the legislature reformed disabled-veteran property-tax deductions and many veterans will have to refile their claims. "We can't do anything until after July 1st… so now instead of a year to do all this, we got six months," Pickers said, asking for a temporary part-time employee three days a week at a maximum rate of $16 an hour for approximately a year and a half. He also said he has a separate records digitization project that the hire could assist with.

Commissioners moved to approve the extra hire and signaled support during the meeting by voice vote.

Why it matters: The administrative burden of refiling could fall on the county veteran-service office, which the officer described as a "one-man band" that cannot absorb a large influx of clients without additional staff. Pickers estimated the group of affected veterans could number in the hundreds, but did not provide a precise count.

The decision gives the veteran service officer immediate authority to approach the council for supplemental funding and to pursue a temporary hire; Pickers said he will budget the position in next year’s appropriation if the need persists.