Board approves one‑year extension with Beavercreek Nursery for mowing, requires competitive bid next year

The Board of Public Works approved an extension of the city’s mowing and weed‑trimming contract with Beavercreek Nursery and Landscaping for Zones 1, 2 and 3 and Mill Creek and waived Policy 4.8 for this year, with an amendment that the city solicit competitive bids for the service in 2026.

Street Superintendent Tim Rasmussen told the board past attempts to solicit competitive proposals produced little or no interest and described a negotiated, structured contract extension with the existing contractor that includes a 2% annual maximum increase and a 60‑day termination clause. "The fiscal impact for Zones 1, 2 and 3 in Mill Creek is relatively the same from years prior, relatively close to that $31,000," Rasmussen said, and explained optional additional locations could raise costs by roughly another $30,000 if fully used.

Several board members questioned waiving Policy 4.8, which requires competitive sealed proposals for many purchases. Commissioner Dirk raised concerns that waiving policy should be rare; other members said the policy as written is stricter than state statute and staff was preparing revisions. To address those concerns, the board adopted an amendment to the staff motion requiring the city to put the mowing contract out for competitive bid next year.

The amended motion carried.