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Wixom council approves new downtown flower contract with Eckert’s and Worry Free for 2025 season
Summary
Council authorized contracts for downtown flower installation and maintenance with Eckert's Greenhouse ($4,648) and Worry Free Outdoor Services ($41,500) for the 2025 season; DDA presented new baskets with built‑in reservoirs, three‑day weekly maintenance and a 10‑year pot warranty.
The Wixom City Council voted to authorize services for downtown flower installation and maintenance for the 2025 season, contracting Eckert’s Greenhouse (Sterling Heights, Mich.) for plant material and basket storage at $4,648 and Worry Free Outdoor Services (Royal Oak, Mich.) for maintenance at $41,500.
Laura Cloutier, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, told council the new baskets are 16‑inch diameter with a built‑in one‑gallon reservoir and internal tubes to reduce watering frequency; Worry Free will maintain the baskets three days per week rather than daily. Cloutier said the pots carry a 10‑year warranty, the vendor will deliver, install and remove baskets for winter storage and that she and the DDA board had researched in‑house alternatives that appeared significantly more expensive.
Councilmembers asked about appearance, pot placement (noting gaps along Wixom and Old Wixom Road), sponsorship opportunities, and whether owning the pots would produce multi‑year savings. Cloutier said pot purchase was included in the vendor quote and that she would explore sponsorships and potential future discounts.
The council approved the recommendation by voice vote and moved the contract into effect for the 2025 season. Councilmembers said they would evaluate the new arrangement after one year to determine whether to continue or seek other options.
