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Veterans group says SERVPRO work, unpaid bills and fundraising shortfall put Bannock County memorial at risk
Summary
Representatives of the Veterans Memorial Building and AMVETS told commissioners SERVPRO work and related bills have left parts of the building closed and fundraising short of stated targets; a commissioner raised the possibility of shifting county memorial funding if the county does not budget for the building.
Representatives of the Veterans Memorial Building and AMVETS told the Bannock County Board of Commissioners on Monday that restoration work by SERVPRO and outstanding bills have left the facility partially closed and fundraising short of the group’s stated goals.
Anthony Dominic, who identified himself as a representative of the AMVETS group, said the group has raised roughly $137,000 toward restoration but has already given $100,000 to SERVPRO for lead abatement and teardown. He said SERVPRO has asked for $115,000 for the rebuild, another $57,000 after the floor work and a final bill of about $19,000. Dominic said SERVPRO crews are no longer working in the building; the downstairs portion is available but the upstairs remains closed, which has limited rental revenue. “Servpro is still out of the building. We have the downstairs portion of the building, but the upstairs is completely closed off. So we—re not able to use the upstairs,” Dominic said.
Other building officials — Miguel Dominic, identified as building historian, and Phil Clifton, vice president of the building association — said they are pursuing additional bids and fundraising. Clifton said the group has received bids from four or five other contractors since SERVPRO left.
A commissioner expressed frustration that the group had engaged SERVPRO despite prior advice to avoid that contractor and said County Counsel had advised the commissioners they could change which facility the county designates as the county—s memorial if the county did not budget for it. “I—m not sure where I am at right at this time, about continuing you as our memorial,” the commissioner said, adding that the county contributes annually and has invested previously in the facility.
The veteran-group representatives said a foundation that provided an initial $100,000 pledged to match up to $100,000 of additional funds raised by an August deadline. They also said fundraising and contractor work remain in flux and that other contractors have submitted lower bids for some work.
Commissioners did not take formal action at the meeting. They told the group the issue would be part of continuing budget conversations and encouraged follow-up with county staff. The group asked the county to consider continued support while it completes fundraising and seeks competitive bids.
