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West Bend BID board authorizes up to $3,200 to start 2025 hanging-basket plantings
Summary
Board members approved a time-sensitive expenditure to begin greenhouse production for downtown hanging baskets while staff develops a year-round planting and procurement plan.
The West Bend City Business Improvement District Board on Feb. 4 authorized up to $3,200 to start spring plant production for downtown hanging baskets and pots, citing a narrow nursery schedule that requires growers to begin planting in February.
Board members and staff said the expenditure is intended to ensure plants reach the correct size for installation in spring. John (staff member) briefed the board on a plan to create a full-year planting list and a maintenance schedule so growers receive exact specifications for each downtown location, including three pot mixes tailored to sunny and shady locations.
The decision followed discussion about procurement and budgeting. Carissa (staff member) and John said the BID typically budgets $40,000 annually for landscaping, but last year’s total program cost was higher than expected. Carissa said roughly $6,000 of the $40,000 commonly covers sidewalk weed cleaning; another recurring allocation (about $700 last year) pays for a separate contractor. Staff said the total program cost will likely exceed the familiar $40,000 figure and that the BID, the city and private-sector sponsors will all contribute toward the overall program.
Rick in Parks described a plan to create three plant mixes so hanging baskets in shaded blocks and sunny blocks will look uniform while using different species appropriate to microclimates. John and staff said bundling plant orders and issuing a single, larger bid might yield better pricing than separate plant orders.
Board member Mark moved the authorization, noting growers typically need planting instructions and a start date in February for containers to be ready for spring. Board member Larry seconded. Chair declared the motion carried after a voice vote; no opposition was recorded in the transcript.
Why it matters: Nurseries generally need several weeks to grow container-ready plants, so delaying a purchase decision until after the next board meeting could push growers past the window for timely spring installation.
Votes at a glance
• Motion to authorize an expenditure not to exceed $3,200 to start plant production for hanging baskets: moved by Mark (board member); seconded by Larry (board member); outcome: approved (voice vote; no opposition recorded).
Context: Staff committed to return with a complete program cost, a plant list for each pot type, and recommendations on whether to bundle bids for better pricing at the next board meeting.
