The Town Council expressed some “sticker shock” when it was presented with new estimates for holiday lighting on the Avenue of the Fountains Plaza.

The estimate from the staff-recommended contactor is an increase of 40 percent over the previous agreement, a five-year contract that expired last year.

The proposal from Christmas Light Decorators is $50,000. The plan offers a variety of options for lights and decorations, including wrapping palm trees and trees in the median, a Christmas tree for the end of the Avenue at Saguaro Boulevard and numerous standing decorations.

The council was quick to balk at the $50,000 and asked Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin about options.

Goodwin said she too was somewhat surprised by the proposal, but said the town could work with the vendor on a program within budget.

Councilman Dennis Brown suggested placing the decorations all toward the end of the Avenue Plaza, east of Verde River Drive.

Councilman Henry Leger said that rather than “compressing the joy,” they should work with an al-a-carte approach, installing whatever they can do within budget along the entire plaza.

Goodwin said one item that could be eliminated is the lighting on the town buildings at the civic center. Leger said that is one aspect of the decorations he gets a number of positive comments on.

Councilman Art Tolis wants the best possible display.

“There is nothing more beautiful than the downtown at the holidays,” Tolis said. “Can we work with partners and sponsors to make this work?”

Goodwin said with the calendar already into October there is no time to delay a council decision. The council vote was 7-0 to work with options to a cap of $35,000.