Board debates donor-funded plantings and who should pay for ongoing maintenance on Sixth Street

Board members and staff at the West Bend City BID meeting on May 5 discussed detailed landscaping plans for Sixth Street and the library circle and whether the BID should fund ongoing maintenance.

John (staff) presented two design options and cost estimates: the Sixth/Hickory design is estimated at roughly $12,000–$14,000 depending on plant sizes, with maintenance estimated at 26 visits at $150 per visit (about $3,900 annually). A library-circle option is designed at just under $6,000. Staff also said one vendor-replacement and other planter repairs are under warranty.

A private donor has indicated possible interest in covering the initial installation — staff cited an approximate donor seed amount of $22,000–$24,000 — but board members debated who should pay for long-term upkeep. One member said BID funds should not be used for ongoing maintenance, arguing maintenance is not the BID’s role; other members suggested a limited short-term BID commitment, donor contributions, or city absorption of ongoing costs. John said staff will follow up with the donor and city administration and return with options at the June meeting.

Staff also described operational details: hanging baskets are scheduled to be planted around May 18 (weather permitting); public-works adjustments will allow nine new hanging baskets on Sixth Street poles; some planters damaged over winter are under warranty and under review with the manufacturer. Staff described an adopt-a-hanging-basket program concept (online donations; baskets cost nearer $100 when full watering and maintenance are included) and noted that donations to the city would not be tax-deductible because the city is not a 501(c)(3).

The board elected to table final decisions and asked staff to seek donor confirmation and administrative guidance; the topic will return to the June agenda.