The Town of Pembroke Park Commission approved a one-year lease for holiday lighting not to exceed $97,000 after discussion about the town’s financial exposure and the role of donations.

Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve item 8.2, with Acting Clerk Commissioner Morissette, Clerk Commissioner Hodgkins and Mayor Jacobs voting yes and Commissioner Mohammed and Vice Mayor Kashem voting no.

The vote follows a lengthy debate over whether the town should rent or buy decorations, how much the town should subsidize, and what pieces are included. Staff told commissioners the contract offered a one-year lease; purchase options were not part of the bid package. Staff also said the package includes the contractor’s “Enchanted Forest” elements and the large “mega tree.” A town staff member clarified that some decorations on Hallandale Beach Boulevard are town-owned but the lighting fixtures themselves are not included in the lease price.

Commissioner Hoskins raised concerns that the town would shoulder most of the $97,000 cost if donation pledges fell short, and asked for a cap on town contribution. “So what happens if we only get one donation for $20? Then we’re still footing the bill for the rest,” Hoskins said during the discussion. Hoskins and others contrasted the lighting expense with other town priorities, including a roughly $300,000 shortfall to make the amphitheater ADA-compliant.

Supporters said the displays would draw residents and businesses into town for holiday events. One commissioner said the decorations “give our residents an opportunity to come out and enjoy the nice evenings that we have in December.” Staff noted that the leased elements shown in the bid include multiple pages of displays (described in the materials as three pages or five pages depending on counting both sides) and estimated that purchasing the full set would cost substantially more — staff estimated roughly $300,000 to buy certain sets that were discussed.

Commissioners asked whether a lease-to-purchase option existed; staff responded that the bid contained only purchase and lease prices and no formal lease-to-purchase term. Staff also said a one-year lease limits the town’s exposure and allows the commission to evaluate the program after a single season.

Before the roll call, one commissioner asked to prioritize fundraising: “I just want to make sure that we are heavily focused on getting donations and that this isn’t coming out of our coffers,” and another commissioner volunteered to pursue donations. The motion passed on the roll call and the lease was approved as presented.

The commission also discussed general special-event planning and a lighting ceremony planned for the park during the season.