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Commissioners approve east‑courthouse site for Banner County veterans memorial
Summary
The Banner County Board approved a proposed location for a veterans memorial east of the courthouse after a presentation by Brad Van Poe outlining donated labor, tile costs and a fundraising plan; the board voted by roll call to approve the site.
Brad Van Poe presented detailed plans on March 3 for a Banner County veterans memorial and the Board of Commissioners voted to approve placing the memorial on the east side of the county courthouse.
In a presentation to the board, Van Poe described a flagged 16-by-24 area and said volunteers and local contractors have offered to donate labor and some materials. He told the board the project will use engraved tiles — he estimated at least 300 names and room for roughly 600 tiles — and said tiles are likely to cost about $25 to $30 each once mounted. "So we're keeping our costs low," Van Poe said, adding that he had secured donations of shelter materials and labor from local businesses.
The board discussed whether to publicize a donation mechanism. Van Poe said he planned to open a fund at Manor County Bank and asked whether the county would allow links to donations on the county website or Facebook page; the chair agreed to post donation instructions. County staff cautioned the board about restrictions on taxpayer funds and recommended researching whether the county could accept or hold donated funds without auditor objections.
Commissioner Don moved to approve the location on the east side of the courthouse and a second was recorded; the motion passed by roll call with affirmative votes recorded from John, Robin and Lee. The board did not commit county operating funds to the project; Van Poe said he will continue fundraising and that about $5,000 more would cover the immediate remaining costs for the memorial pad and fixtures.
The memorial effort includes outreach to the historical society and plans to place tiles with veterans' names; Van Poe said he had identified roughly 300 names so far. Next steps noted in the meeting included finalizing donation arrangements with the bank and confirming any required county oversight for accepting or holding donated monies.
