The city of DeKalb is saving $9,591 on refurbishing downtown light post decorations by ordering the work before April 30.

The city has put a 50 percent down payment on the $22,425 refurbishment of 69 holiday wreaths.

The city council approved a proposal April 12 to send the decorations to Wayne Manufacturing of Chariton, Iowa, to rewire the lighting. Also, new garland will be woven into the green wreaths, said Linda Wiggins, DeKalb administrative services director.

“We do this in the hopes of making the community more attractive and getting people into the spirit of the season and hope that it gets people to part with a few more of their dollars here [in DeKalb],” Wiggins said.

The city had to act before April 30 to take advantage of almost 43 percent savings, she said.

The city secured a price of $325 per wreath for ordering before the deadline, Wiggins said. If the city had waited, fixing each decoration would have cost $425, a total increased cost of $32,016.

Had the city decided to purchase new decorations, Wiggins said, it would have cost the city about $35,000.

The money will come from the city’s General Capital Improvements Fund that is used for maintaining the community with such projects as street and sidewalk repair.

During the last holiday season, the city manager and public works offices received numerous complaints about the condition of the 12-year-old wreaths, Wiggins said. Many of the wreaths’ lights were out, and the garland was weathered, she said.

Dan Grych, owner of the DeKalb Gallery, 161 E. Lincoln Highway, said he hopes the improved decorations will lure more shoppers to downtown DeKalb.

“Outside appearances are very important. It’s your first impression sometimes by looking at what the main street looks like. If the place looks nice, then people want to stay,” he said.

Wiggins said she expects the wreaths back by the end of summer.

From November to January, the wreaths adorn light posts on Lincoln Highway between 10th Street and Copy Services, 1005 W. Lincoln Highway, Wiggins said.