Wearing brilliant blue tiles like a royal robe, Thunderbunny majestically lords over Wilton Drive as the city’s most visible artwork. The masterpiece could soon have company.

In a pair of votes during their Sept. 25 meeting, city commissioners adopted the public art master plan and guidelines, officially clearing the way for the two-square-mile city to become a two-square-mile canvas.

The plan’s vision statement says, “...public art in Wilton Manors is to create a city where art is integral to everyday life and forms a key element of the community’s identity.”

Goals include making the city an arts destination, showcase unique art that reflects the community’s identity, and highlight the city’s diversity, especially Wilton Manors’ LGBTQ heritage.

Water Works

For an island city, residents pay a lot for water. That’s not likely to change anytime soon. But the city is working to improve water and sewage infrastructure and better absorb water rate increases.

Wilton Manors uses Fort Lauderdale to supply fresh water and treat sewage, so many costs are out of the city’s control. Steep increases have come in part due to Fort Lauderdale’s construction of a new water treatment facility.

Commissioners heard a presentation from a consulting firm with suggestions on how to better control usage. They also approved taking advantage of the WIFIA (Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) program.

The city will apply for a loan up to 30 million dollars to make much-needed improvements to its unseen infrastructure, much of which dates back to the mid-20th century. The loan is like a line of credit a homeowner would take out to make improvements. When they have a qualifying project, leaders can withdraw money and pay interest only on the amount borrowed.