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Solomon evaluates options after $7,500 park-sign grant leaves $19,000 gap
Summary
The park’s 10‑year‑old electronic sign stopped working; replacement is estimated at $26,500 with a $7,500 grant already awarded, leaving a $19,000 funding gap. The city and school are considering a sustainability plan that could include ad sales or shared contributions.
Solomon city staff told the council on Nov. 3 that the park’s electronic sign, installed about a decade ago in partnership with the local school, is no longer functioning and is estimated to cost $26,500 to replace. The Community Foundation grant of $7,500 covers part of the cost, leaving a roughly $19,000 shortfall.
Municipal Services Clerk Krista Radke said the city and school discussed creating a sustainability plan to fund future maintenance and replacement. Options mentioned included annual contributions from partners, fundraising, and selling paid advertisements or greetings on the sign; staff reported the grantor placed no explicit prohibition on ad sales.
Radke said the sign is on city property and that insurance responsibility may move to the city pending a review of the memorandum of understanding with the school. The council asked staff to review the MOU and insurance implications and to return with a final funding and partnership recommendation.
Why it matters: a functioning park sign is used for community announcements and events; replacing it requires a multi-thousand-dollar capital decision and clarity on long-term maintenance and insurance.
Next steps: staff will review the MOU, confirm insurance coverage implications, and return to council with options to fill the funding gap and a sustainability plan.
