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Finance committee approves downtown kiosk advertising policy and fee schedule
Summary
The Waukesha City Finance Committee approved a staff-led advertising policy for four downtown kiosks, setting initial fees at $150 for one week, $500 for one month and $800 for two months; the measure passed 3–1 after debate over fee levels and how often staff may adjust rates.
Waukesha City’s finance committee on Feb. 25 approved a new advertising policy and fee schedule for downtown digital kiosks, a move staff said will generate revenue to market downtown, maintain and replace kiosks and support city-sponsored downtown events.
Robin Grama, associate planner with Community Development, told the committee the kiosks already display a downtown business map and that staff is proposing a small advertising space in the lower-left corner of the screen. Grama described the proposed fees as $150 for one week, $500 for one month and $800 for two months and said ads would remain on-screen for about 10 seconds and typically appear one to two times per minute depending on the number of advertisers. "What we're looking at is ... having advertising for the kiosk," Grama said, adding city communications staff conducted market research and that one interested advertiser has been Waukesha State Bank.
Committee members questioned whether the initial prices would attract enough advertisers. Alderman Person Lemke urged staff to allow continuous review of rates rather than limiting adjustments to an annual update, saying more frequent changes would help "maximize revenue." Grama agreed staff could monitor sales continuously and adjust pricing or placement if needed. Alderman McElgerly asked how often an advertiser would appear and Grama said the policy guarantees at least 10 seconds every one to two minutes to ensure visibility.
The policy draft includes content restrictions; Grama said the policy follows guidance from the city attorney and excludes certain categories such as tobacco, certain controlled substances and firearms. The cover letter included a note that advertising revenue would be held in an identified revenue account and could be matched with expenses; Grama referenced the account as "count 5 5 81" in discussion.
The chair moved to approve the item "as presented" and the motion was seconded by Alderman McElgerly. The committee approved the policy on a voice vote, 3–1; a single committee member opposed the measure, saying the city should not be selling advertising in that space.
The committee did not alter the fee table on the floor but gave staff flexibility to adjust implementation details and to review fees going forward.
Next procedural step: the committee approved the recommendation to implement the policy; implementation timing and any formal contracts or sponsor agreements will be handled by city staff.
