Supervisors pledge $5,000 toward veterans banner program after fundraising threshold met

The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors voted to provide $5,000 to a veterans-banner project along Veterans Memorial Highway, contingent on the group reaching $25,000 in donations.

Alan Way and a colleague identified as Ellen told the board the project seeks to place banners on light poles from South 24th Street to Metro Drive. They said the vendor quoted $15,000 for 100 brackets and that families would be asked to pay $100 per banner. Organizers described the total project cost as about $30,000 and asked the county for $5,000 to help reach that goal.

Ellen said, “The banner … we’re asking $100 from the veteran or the veteran’s family,” and described a maintenance arrangement in which a contractor would bill about $175 an hour if a banner or bracket needed repair. Presenters said they expect most initial banners to come from Council Bluffs applicants but that the effort is countywide.

Supervisor Wickman moved to approve the funding request with a condition that the group raise the necessary donation threshold; Supervisor Jorgenson seconded. The measure passed by voice vote after board members confirmed the project’s fundraising plan.

The board discussed sustainability, fundraising strategies and examples from other communities, including Gretna and Clarinda, where organizers reported multi-year displays. Presenters said they will continue soliciting donations from businesses, nonprofits and families and will accept banner applications beyond the initial installation cycle.

The board’s action directs the county to release $5,000 once the organizers notify county staff that the stated donation threshold has been met. The county did not set a timeline for the funds’ disbursement in the meeting.