The West Bend Board of Public Works on Dec. 15 authorized advertising five construction contracts for 2026 and awarded its TreeSurety2026 contract to a local firm, citing cost and logistical advantages.

Max, city public works staff, told the board the contracts up for advertisement include reconstruction of Kilborn Avenue (Indiana to Winchester) as phase 2 of a larger corridor project, Heather Drive reconstruction from Ader to Sylvan, the annual water-utility pavement repair contract, a reduced-budget sidewalk installation and repair contract, and stormwater and Forge Place work in the T14 industrial park to accommodate planned industrial expansion. ‘‘Previously budgeted funds from water utilities, sewer utility, and engineering budgets will be used to cover the cost of those projects,’’ Max said.

On the tree-planting contract, Parks/Forestry staff member Mike asked the board to award contract 2507 (TreeSurety2026) to Dan Larson Landscaping of Cedarburg. The base bid is $56,344 and the total project cost, including a 3% contingency and potential irrigation work, was capped at $68,906; the pre-bid estimate had been $85,000. Mike explained the lower bid reflected Larson’s proximity: ‘‘Larson Landscape is about 15 minutes south of West Bend…they can load a trailer, drive 15 minutes, and they can plant these trees,’’ he said, noting distant bidders face higher mobilization and irrigation logistics. Funding will come from the tree surety account, carryover funds, a previous urban forestry grant and forestry contractual funds in the operating budget.

The board approved the advertising permissions and the TreeSurety2026 award by voice vote.

Looking ahead, Mike said the city will bring an adjustment to tree surety fees to the council in early 2026: ‘‘That $350 per tree is just not gonna cut it anymore,’’ he said, indicating a future fee increase for the program.

The board did not provide a line-item vote tally in the public transcript; actions were approved by voice votes. The council’s finance committee separately accepted two parks donations earlier in the meeting.