Parks committee approves revenue plan for Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, including corn-price increase

The Green Bay Parks Committee on Feb. 26 approved a staff proposal to generate $90,000 in additional revenue for the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary through a mix of cage sponsorships, an event and a proposed increase in the price of corn sold at the sanctuary.

Staff presented a three-part plan: a 12-month cage sponsorship program to generate $20,000 (40 on-site cages at $1,000 each with a 50% uptake goal), approximately $10,000 from hosting a revenue-generating event such as Ottertoberfest, and raising the price of corn from $2 to $5 per bag to produce the remaining revenue. Staff said the sanctuary currently sells about 60,000 bags of corn annually at $2 a bag (about $120,000) and projected that sales would fall if the price increases; staff estimated sales dropping to roughly 36,000 bags under the $5 price but said the higher price would still help reach the $90,000 target while reducing volunteer packaging time and the quantity of corn on site (which staff said has benefits for waterfowl management).

Friends of the Wildlife Sanctuary representatives were described by staff as "100% opposed" to parking or admission fees; the Friends asked staff to pursue alternatives that do not impose an entry charge. Several committee members and members of the public raised concerns about a steep jump to $5 a bag and suggested middle options (for example $4) or a small parking fee as alternatives. One committee member described parking fees as a potential barrier to entry for families, while another said a parking fee would be harder to sell politically and would create access concerns.

A motion to defer the item and request more information on the impacts of parking fees and other options failed. A subsequent motion to approve the staff plan as presented passed on a committee vote recorded as 3–1. The meeting transcript does not record a roll-call list matching individual yes/no votes; the committee recorded the final outcome and the motion will be forwarded as the committee's recommendation to the Common Council if required by process.

Staff emphasized that corn purchases are optional, unlike a parking or admission fee, and that the Friends of the Wildlife Sanctuary oppose any parking or admission charge. The sanctuary staff and Friends reportedly support the proposed mixture of sponsorships and events as a means to reach the revenue target without imposing mandatory user fees.

Committee members asked staff to continue outreach on the proposal and to provide additional analysis should the Common Council request more detail before finalizing any change to pricing or fees.