York County is launching a new veterans discount program, but its success hinges on the willingness of local merchants to give servicemen and servicewomen a break on purchases made at their businesses.

Commissioners Wednesday approved spending more than $20,700 to buy software and hardware and to maintain a system under which veterans would be issued a picture identification card by the office of Recorder of Deeds Randi Reisinger.

Reisinger said the effort is intended to show gratitude to veterans, and similar programs have recently been launched in other Pennsylvania counties. Her office will use the equipment to make the cards, which will be free to veterans.

Many veterans have identification cards noting their military service, but merchants often expect to see a picture for authentication, said Barre Shepp, a mentor coordinator with the county's Department of Veterans Affairs.

Reisinger said the county is hoping to launch the program soon, but it needs a list of vendors willing to participate. Those interested will be promoted on a page of the county's website where veterans can see a list of participating businesses, she said.

The program won't be funded by the county's general budget, but rather through a records improvement fund of fees collected by the county.

Businesses or veterans interested in the program should call the Recorder of Deeds at 771-9608.

Reisinger didn't set a discount threshold for merchants to meet for participation, but President Commissioner Steve Chronister joked that he hopes they offer more than the typical 10 percent. He said he thinks the discount should be 20 or 30 percent.

- Reach Christina Kauffman at ckauffman@yorkdispatch.com.