CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Military Banner Program Renewal Process
MEETING DATE: February 23, 2026
TO: Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee
PREPARED BY: Jennifer Jackson, Senior Management Analyst REVIEWED BY: Gabbi Cao, Community Services Manager
APPROVED BY: Mariana Mitchell, Community Services Director -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Review and discuss the existing Military Banner Program renewal process.
DISCUSSION
In response to a future agenda item request from the Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee (VMFAC) on August 18, 2025, a review of the Military Banner Program renewal process has been prepared for discussion.
Background
In 2012, the Military Banner Program ("Program") was established to recognize and celebrate Menifee residents or their immediate family members who served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. Banners are displayed on light poles located in high-visibility travel corridors in the City, with an average of 65 banners installed annually. Menifee is home to over 8,000 veterans, as well as many active-duty service members, which results in a high volume of applications for the Program. Unlike similar programs in neighboring cities such as Temecula, and Lake Elsinore, Menifee's program honors both active-duty and veteran service members.
With the ability to display over 300 banners across all four districts, the program serves as a meaningful and robust tribute to the city's strong military community.
TABLE 1 - COMPARISON OF MENIFEE’S PROGRAM WITH THE SURROUNDING CITIES Program Menifee Murrieta Temecula Lake Elsinore
Criteria Active
Duty/Veteran
Active
Duty/Veteran Active Duty Active Duty
Capacity 300 30 33 50
Display time Up to 2 years 1 year Up to 1 year 2 years
Fee $135.00 Rec. $25 donation No fee $150.00
City of Menifee Staff Report
Military Banner Renewal Process
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City of Menifee Program
The approximate cost of a banner is $270.00 (printing, installation, hardware, and removal), plus the cost of Program administration. With the application fee set at $135, the cost of each banner is shared between the City and the applicant.
Currently, there are 300 designated banner locations in total, with 169 banners currently installed throughout the City. The estimated cost to fill these remaining 131 locations is $35,370. The maximum number of banners that can be installed at one time is 150, allowing for a rotation that replaces half of the banners every two years.
The last Military Banner Program Policy update was approved by the City Council meeting on November 15, 2023. The updated Policy (Attachment 1) includes program enhancements such as the introduction of a commemorative banner, defined location parameters, and banner design modifications.
At the March 17, 2025, Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee meeting, members reviewed and discussed the Program structure and policy. After evaluating all relevant factors, committee members unanimously voted to continue the Program under the current policy provisions. This recommendation was provided to City Council through a receive and file report presented on April 16, 2025.
Key Program and policy details:
Banners are placed in high-visibility areas in all four City Council districts, including Newport Road, Menifee Road, and the Sun City area on McCall Blvd., Sun City Blvd., and Cherry Hills Blvd.
Banners are installed/removed twice per year (in May for Memorial Day and November for Veterans Day).
Banners are installed for up to two years (minimum of 12 months). Participants may reapply for an additional two-year period if there is no waitlist. Each application is subject to a $135 fee to cover half of the City’s cost ($270) for banner printing, hardware, installation and removal. The fee has remained fixed at $135 since 2016.
The City has a contract with Dekra-Lite Industries, which prints, installs, and removes all banners.
Banners have a three-year warranty for fading.
The City is responsible for the removal of banners that are damaged or destroyed due to age, vandalism, accidents, or any acts of nature, including high winds, aside from current normal warranty repairs for up to one year.
Participants receive a smaller commemorative banner (approximately 11 x 17 inches) included as part of their banner order.
The Veteran Banner Donation account has a balance of $1,687.27. These funds can be used to offset costs for applicants under the following criteria:
oFallen Hero
oService member served in combat
oFinancial hardship (at the discretion of the City Manager or designee) City of Menifee Staff Report
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Applicants have the option to request that the cost of the banner be covered by donation funds when they fill out their application. The City Manager or a designated representative will review the request to determine if it meets the necessary criteria and confirm the availability of funding to support the request. Residents can contribute to the donation fund by mailing a check or visiting City Hall in person. Additionally, applicants can sponsor a service member by completing an application and paying the associated fee.
Renewal process
A few months prior to the conclusion of the initial two-year period, banner program participants who are interested in applying for an additional two-year period are invited to submit a new application including the $135 replacement fee. The established fee covers half of the City’s cost ($270) for banner replacement including printing, hardware, installation and removal.
Second Term Application Fee Waiver Consideration
In response to Committee direction, staff evaluated the options to allow banners to remain displayed beyond the existing two-year period at a reduced cost. If the display period were extended beyond the existing two-year period, banner maintenance would become a key operational consideration. It is anticipated that banners would require repair or replacement during an extended display period due to prolonged exposure to the elements including sun and wind.
The existing Dekra-Lite agreement could be expanded to include a quarterly maintenance program (Attachment 2) to help preserve the life of the banners for an additional two-year display period. The cost of this program is $3,275 per quarter ($13,100 annually).
The Dekra-lite Quarterly Maintenance Program includes:
Removal of damaged, worn or unsafe banners
Repair of banners onsite when conditions allow
Transportation of removed banners to the warehouse for inspection and repair when feasible
Cleaning and minor repairs (one-time minimum fee of $38.60 per banner to return and reinstall)
Service does not include hardware replacement or reprinting of banners that are not under warranty
While a quarterly maintenance program would provide a structured approach to upkeep, it would increase the overall cost of administering the program and would not guarantee banner integrity over an extended term. Additionally, extending the banner term from two to four years, would also limit access by new applicants to high visibility/preferred locations.
As an alternative to a second term fee waiver or reduction, consideration may be given to extending the existing banner replacement guarantee from one to two years as a policy option to provide additional assurance to participating families while maintaining program turnover and access for new applicants.
Since inception, the City’s Military Banner Program has been highly successful. While downed or damaged banners and/or hardware are infrequent, when such issues arise, they are addressed and resolved as soon as possible. City staff strives to provide outstanding customer service and City of Menifee Staff Report
Military Banner Renewal Process
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program excellence, honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women featured on our banners. City staff welcome Committee feedback on the current policy and potential updates for City Council consideration based on the information provided.
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY 2026/2027 budget allocation under the terms of the existing agreement with Dekra-Lite Industries is $18,000. The addition of a quarterly maintenance program would result in an annual budget increase of $13,100, for a total of $31,100. Extending the term of the existing display period would also result in increased costs for non-warranty repairs, cleaning or replacement.
Any additional Program and/or Policy modification recommendations would require further cost analysis prior to being presented to the City Council consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Military Banner Program Policy
2. Dekra-Lite Quarterly Maintenance Program Quote