Committee reviews veteran cemetery counts and flags state bill affecting 100% disabled tax exemption

The Veterans Committee received updated burial statistics for the Sullivan County Veteran Cemetery through July 29, 2026. Steve, the AMVETS commander and director, told the panel that veterans-only burials stood at 1,184, dependents at 1,150 and combined veterans-and-spouses at 722, for a total of 2,056 burials — an increase of 27 since December 2025.

"Veterans alone, 1,184. Dependents, 1 150. Veterans and spouses, 7 22. Total burials to date, 2,056," Steve said while reviewing cemetery counts. He also noted staff are working to produce more accurate data on how many Sullivan County veterans would qualify for the 100% disabled property tax exemption under S 1183, a bill he said takes effect on Oct. 1, 2026 but is no longer mandatory and would require local tax-assessor and municipal approval.

Committee members acknowledged the need for clear eligibility numbers and thanked staff for coordinating with legislators and county legal staff on burial-eligibility resolution language and related matters.