County supervisors approve removal of two courthouse trees, solicit bids for trimming and stump work

The Osceola County Board of Supervisors voted to remove two central trees near the courthouse and to solicit bids for trimming or removing additional trees after hearing two contractor estimates and staff recommendations.

Public-works staff and supervisors discussed two written estimates: one bid of about $5,500 that included stump removal and broader work on the south side of the courthouse, and a second estimate of roughly $3,000 for a more limited scope. A contractor identified in the discussion was expected to be about two months out; staff said another bidder might be available sooner. Reggie, the county grounds contact named during the meeting, recommended removing the two center trees for safety and suggested the board leave a third tree’s fate to staff discretion; he asked the board to give staff leeway to decide whether the remaining trees could be trimmed and left in place.

Supervisor Schulte moved to accept the plan to remove the two center trees and to solicit bids for the other work; Supervisor Loring seconded the motion. The board approved the motion on a unanimous voice vote.

Clarifying details discussed included stump-grinding limits for future replanting (staff advised planting should be 6–10 feet from ground-level stump grind locations) and that much of the contractor scheduling may occur on weekends. Supervisors emphasized they did not want to remove trees unnecessarily and asked staff to consult with the contractor Wienia and Reggie on timing and exact scope before work begins.

The board instructed staff to proceed with bidding and contract scheduling and to coordinate weekend work to avoid disrupting courthouse operations.