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Eldora council opts for banners over hanging flower baskets to cut costs
Summary
Facing tight budgets and daily watering/overtime costs, Eldora's council approved purchasing banners to replace 45 downtown hanging baskets; the Chamber offered a one-year $4,500 donation and staff presented a 5-year cost comparison favoring banners.
The Eldora City Council voted to replace hanging flower baskets downtown with banners after Parks & Recreation presented a multi-year cost comparison showing substantial savings.
Parks & Rec reported there are about 45 hanging baskets that require daily watering from May through September, including overtime weekend staffing. Committee estimates put annual city labor and overtime costs for watering at roughly $10,000; banners were estimated at $4,700–$6,900 for a one-time purchase with lower recurring effort. Over five years Parks & Rec estimated banners could save the city several thousand dollars compared with continuing the basket program.
Gabby Mitchell of the Chamber, who joined virtually, said the Chamber values the flowers for downtown aesthetics and offered a one-year donation of about $4,500 to help. "We are just hoping to find a solution or a way that we can keep the flowers going," Mitchell said, noting alternatives such as ground planters. Committee members outlined practical constraints including snow removal, wind exposure and sunlight exposure that limit other options such as artificial baskets.
Councilmember Miley presented the Parks & Rec cost spreadsheet and recommended banners for this year to limit operating costs while the Chamber's donation could be directed to other beautification needs. Councilmember Don moved to purchase banners in lieu of flowers, the motion was seconded and passed in roll call.
Next steps: staff will proceed with banner procurement and coordinate installation and removal logistics; the Chamber may allocate its donation toward beautification projects if desired.
