You’ve seen some significant improvements to the look of City Hall in the past six months.
This summer, City Clerk Jim Shelenske led a volunteer effort to upgrade the landscaping in front of the city administration building – and the results have been easy to see.
The most recent upgrade is also eye-catching to anyone who has stopped by City Hall in the past few weeks: a new sign and message board.
Jim and South Milwaukee Public Health Administrator Jacqueline Ove, working with local signage company Everbrite, helped make this improvement happen – and it is a big improvement. The lighting on the old sign had failed. And the new message board gives the city a chance to share key messages with residents about anything from upcoming meetings to emergency notifications.
As part of the deal, Everbrite is also donating a new Grobschmidt Senior Center sign, which will also get fresh paint around its frame, and the Police Department sign and frame will also be replaced.
Which brings me to another key point: No city property tax dollars are being put toward the new signage, which is coming at a cost of about $20,000. (Some city funds are being spent on wiring upgrades.)
The purchase was made possible through Public Health Emergency Preparedness funds that were unexpended in the five-year grant cycle.
Thanks to Jim and Jackie for their work on this — and to Everbrite for the partnership.
One other note about the grant funds: As of August, we have started a new five-year cooperative agreement with the state and federal government for these funds.
South Milwaukee Blog 
“No taxpayer dollars” to pay for a $20,000 sign except wiring upgrades for instillation of an unmentioned amount.
“No taxpayer dollars” to pay for a $20,000 sign except the 20,000 taxpayer dollars that funded that portion of the “grant” that was given by the state and federal government.
Why are the state and federal governments taxing us to pay for city expenditures like a sign in front of city hall? So the city can call it “free” and have everyone happy about a sign that costs about $1 per person. I’ll take my six bucks, thanks. I’m sure the rest if my family and friends want their dollars back, too. I won’t read the sign. Well, that’s going to be pretty hard since its so bright.
John: I clarified the point about “taxpayer dollars” in the post. But I think the point here is that the old sign was broken (and getting unsightly). It needed to be fixed and/or upgraded. So we’re doing it, without city property tax dollars going toward the expense. I consider that a win.
Is there a local woodworker that could have made a nice wood sign for a tenth of the price? Why do we need a $20,000 message board in the first place? You did make it clear–the grant money is coming from either our state and federal taxes or government borrowing. Maybe we have a locally made sign financed by China. Cool beans!
John,
I am waiting for SM to request federal funds for a trolley!!! Don’t forget that Erik calls “holding the line’ on property taxes a small tax increase….