Beautification advisory committee votes to finish Mackle Park tree plantings using remaining funds

The Marco Island Beautification Advisory Committee voted June 3 to use remaining operating funds and a small portion of a donor account to complete phase 2 of tree plantings at Mackle Park.

Staff told the committee the operating budget began as a $25,000 appropriation plus a $9,000 transfer (a reported total of $34,000). As of the meeting, staff said $3,569.88 had been spent, $23,622.83 was encumbered and $6,807.29 remained available. The phase‑2 work at Mackle Park was priced at $7,075.87 in staff materials; committee members proposed using about $200 from a newly identified tree fund to close the small gap so the project could move forward.

"It's the plan, it's done, the work has been done, we have the approvals," a member said, arguing there is no need to re‑bid the project and that it is ready to proceed. Another member seconded the motion to apply the remaining budget and the small donor balance to finish phase 2. The committee approved the motion by roll call.

Members said the work had been competitively bid and had the necessary approvals, including the local utility sign‑off noted in staff materials. Several members emphasized a preference to spend available tree funds on planting rather than deferring work that is already planned and permitted.

The committee also discussed related budget priorities: replacement banners and holiday lights were raised as items that could be included in the August budget workshop, but members agreed finishing the Mackle Park planting was timely because much of the preparatory work is complete.

The committee directed staff to proceed with contracting and to report back to the committee on any remaining administrative steps at the next meeting.