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City staff seeks MOU for America 250 Patriots memorial; Veterans Services Commission to reimburse up to $100,000
Summary
Staff told the July 21 commemoration meeting the proposed America 250 Patriots monument would be sited in Sunbury's cemetery, the city would likely front installation costs and the Delaware County Veterans Services Commission said it would reimburse up to $100,000; council MOU and budget changes will be requested.
A staff member told the Sunbury commemoration committee on July 21 that the city will be asked to enter a memorandum of understanding with the Delaware County Veterans Services Commission to install an "America 250 Patriots" monument, and that the commission indicated it "would reimburse up to $100,000" toward the cost.
Staff described the preferred location as a portion of the cemetery near the Fallen Heroes memorial, noting the plan would move an existing sign, trim a tree to improve visibility and allow visitors to drive up close to the monument. The packet includes vendor images and a proposal staff reviewed with the selection committee.
Because county counsel and the Veterans Services Commission recommend the city make the upfront payment and be reimbursed, staff said they will bring an MOU request to council and likely need to adjust the city budget to provide the initial funds. The staff member said the timing means the monument "may not be in place by Memorial or by Veterans Day of this year" and that a spring unveiling next year remains possible.
Staff said the Daughters of the American Revolution are researching unmarked veteran graves countywide and had identified "maybe 20 names" so far; Sunbury would hold a subset (staff estimated fewer than 10 names initially) and the monument design includes space to add names as additional veterans are identified.
Next steps: staff will confirm the final city cost, prepare an MOU for council consideration (targeted for first reading on Aug. 5), and present a confirmed cost estimate before council action.
