CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Military Banner Program: Consideration of Expanded Participation Options
MEETING DATE: June 15, 2026
TO: Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee
PREPARED BY: Jennifer Jackson, Senior Management Analyst REVIEWED BY: Rebekah Kramer, Assistant City Manager
APPROVED BY: Mariana Mitchell, Community Services Director -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Review and discuss expanded participation options for the Military Banner Program.
DISCUSSION
In response to future agenda item requests from the Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee (VMFAC) at the February 23, 2026 , and March 16, 2026 meetings, a review of expanded participation options for the Military Banner Program has been prepared.
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. Unli ke 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 Program: Expanded Participation Options June 15, 2026
* Per the existing Policy, banners are currently guaranteed for only one year by the City ; see “Recent Policy Reviews and Updates” section for current VMFAC recommendation.
City of Menifee Program
The approximate cost of a banner is $270 (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 184 banners currently installed throughout the City. The estimated cost to fill these remaining 116 locations with new banners is $31,320. 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.
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 11x17 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:
o Fallen Hero
o Service member served in combat
o Financial hardship (at the discretion of the City Manager or designee)
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.
Recent Policy Reviews and Updates
The last Military Banner Program Policy (“Policy”) update was approved by the City Council meeting on November 15, 2023. The updated Policy (Attachment 1) includes program City of Menifee Staff Report
Military Banner Program: Expanded Participation Options June 15, 2026
enhancements such as the introduction of a mini commemorative banner, defined location parameters, and banner design modifications.
At the February 23, 2026 VMFAC meeting, the Committee reviewed the Military Banner Program renewal process in response to a future agenda item request from the August 18, 2025 meeting.
Following this review, the Committee recommended extending the existing banner replacement guarantee from one to two years. This recommendation will be brought to the City Council for consideration at a future meeting.
Residency Requirement
At the conclusion of the February 23, 2026 VMFAC meeting, a future agenda item request was added to review the Military Banner Program’s residency requirement. As part of the committee’s ongoing efforts to identify opportunities to better serve veterans and military families, members discussed inquiries received from local veterans organizations regarding participation by veterans who reside just outside the City limits but remain active in Menifee’s veterans community.
The current Policy dictates that in addition to active duty/reserve or veteran status, P rogram eligibility is contingent upon City residency and familial relationship:
The honoree must be a resident of the City of Menifee or an immediate family member (legal guardian, spouse, mother, father, daughter, son, brother, sister, grandson, granddaughter) of a current City of Menifee resident. Residency must be verified with a recent utility bill, driver’s license, or other form of identification listing a current Menifee address as deemed appropriate by City of Menifee staff. (Policy section 5B, pg. 2)
Expansion of the Program to allow non-resident participation requires the following considerations:
• Redefinition of Eligibility Criteria to include non-residents (Policy section 5, pg. 2) • Determination whether non-residents should pay the full program cost ($270 vs $135 for residents) or an additional fee to participate, similar to City Recreation program s’ Non- Resident Fees
• Creation of a b anner prioritization system for high-visibility locations and/or should pole space become limited
Currently the surrounding cities of Murrieta, Temecula and Lake Elsinore exclude non-residents from Military Banner Program participation. The City of Corona allows non-resident participation, provided the honoree attended Corona schools or is currently employed in Corona. Non-residents must pay the full banner program costs versus City-subsidized participation for residents.
Military and Veteran Organization Participation
At the conclusion of the March 16, 2026 VMFAC meeting, a future agenda item request was added to review the Military Banner Program in consideration of allowing Menifee-based military or veteran organizations to promote themselves through the purchase of a banner. The discussion stemmed from the committee’s ongoing engagement with local veterans organizations and community partners, as well as the recognition that many veterans and military families access services through non-profit organizations, service clubs, and advocacy groups operating within the Menifee community.
City of Menifee Staff Report
Military Banner Program: Expanded Participation Options June 15, 2026
Under the current Policy, organizations are prohibited from being the featured subject of a military banner; organization participation is limited to the financial sponsorship of eligible honorees. Non- profit agency sponsor s’ titles and/or logos may be permitted on the banner, subject to formal review and approval by City staff.
From Policy section 3, Purpose and Intent:
In establishing this program, the City does not intend in any manner to create a public forum or other means by which noncommercial social, religious, or political messages may be conveyed, or by which public discourse, exchange of opinions, or discussion on issues of any nature may occur. The sole and limited purpose of the Military Banner Program is to recognize and honor the contribution of currently serving or active duty and veterans of the United States Armed Forces by permitting the display of banners containing the serviceperson’s name, professional grade photo (if available), and service division. Consistent with the intent of the City, as expressed above, the City permits the sponsorship and display of the Armed Forces banners solely in accordance with the following policy. (Policy section 3, pg. 2)
Expansion of the Program to allow military and veteran organizations to promote themselves through the purchase of military banners would require the following considerations:
• Redefinition of the Purpose and Intent of the Military Banner Program ( Policy section 3, pg. 2)
• Determination of eligibility criteria, cost, display term, banner warranties/guarantees • Description of acceptable organizational banner content and specifications • Establishment of application process and requirements • Organizational Banner artwork/design
Since inception, the City’s Military Banner Program has been highly successful . City staff strive to provide Program excellence, honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women featured on our banners. City staff welcome Committee input and direction on potential Policy updates for City Council consideration based on the information provided.
FISCAL IMPACT
Any additional Program and/or Policy change recommendations would require further cost analysis prior to presentation to the City Council for consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Military Banner Program Policy CC-30