Lisle approves $49,300 Guide Studio branding contract after trustees debate costs

The Village of Lisle board approved a professional services agreement with Guide Studio Inc. for a village branding initiative in an amount not to exceed $49,300, despite trustees raising questions about additional implementation costs and timing.

Village Manager Cook presented the consent agenda and staff recommendation for the Guide Studio contract. Trustee Lesniak said she was “not in favor of this item at this time,” citing recent community survey results and other economic development investments and expressing discomfort that the board and staff had not placed this item in the context of recent initiatives. Trustee Carroll (recorded in the transcript as speaking in opposition) and others asked how much additional spending would be needed to implement new logos across letterhead, signage and village vehicles.

Village Manager Cook and other trustees said implementation costs could be phased and that some items (letterhead, minor graphic changes) have relatively low up‑front costs. Trustees in favor argued a refreshed brand would help economic development efforts and provide a platform for future initiatives. The roll call on the consent item recorded two 'no' votes (Trustee Grau and Trustee Lesniak) and four 'aye' votes (Trustee Duffy, Trustee Saima, Trustee McGovern, Trustee Olson); the motion passed.

The contract is for a branding study and creative work only; the board discussed but did not authorize specific implementation spending beyond the $49,300 contract. Trustees asked staff to consider phasing implementation costs and to return further cost estimates as part of future budgeting and rollout decisions.