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Parks department accepts single fish‑stocking bid pending budget adjustment; larger bass drive higher price
Summary
Harvey County Parks accepted a single vendor bid for spring fish stocking but voted to approve it pending review and budget adjustments after staff said a shift to larger, adult bass increased the total bid to about $38,815 — roughly $10,000 over the department’s estimate.
Cass, representing Harvey County Parks, told the commissioners the county solicited eight invitations to fish farms for the 2025 stocking program and received one bid from Carbon Fish Farm (noting Urban Fish Farm has served the county previously). Cass said the winning total bid was $38,815 — roughly $10,000 above the department’s budget.
Cass said the larger expense stemmed from a change in stocking strategy: biologists recommended supplying more adult‑sized bass rather than juvenile bass to improve breeding and population balance at county parks. Cass said the change was intended to “get a little return on investment” because larger bass can breed and help reduce overpopulation of aggressive crappie species.
Board members asked about lake water levels and the department said East Park remained at pool while West Park had required pumping this year; staff said last year’s stocking was reduced when lake levels were low. Cass said the county relies on the Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP) in part to fund stocking and that staff would adjust stocking quantities to fit the budget.
A motion to accept the bid pending adjustment and review passed unanimously.
