Purchasing committee approves $63,000 lawn-care and mulch contract for solid waste sites

Rutherford County’s Purchasing Committee voted July 15 to approve a $63,000 contract with CNC Lawn Care to provide routine lawn maintenance and install hardwood mulch at three recently renovated convenience centers. The committee approved the award after department staff recommended the bid that included mulch for the newly renovated Smyrna, Rockvale and Leanna convenience centers. Committee members said mulch had not been included in past contracts and that adding the new transfer-station property to service coverage accounted for most of the increase from the prior year. County staff told the committee CNC offered two bid options — with and without mulch — and recommended accepting the option that includes mulch at the three sites. Staff said the county expects to use part of its maintenance budget to handle landscaping at the transfer station property not covered by this contract. Commissioners asked about the type of mulch in the contract. Staff said the specification lists hardwood mulch and agreed to confirm the material and return an amendment to purchasing if necessary to exclude “raw” or untreated mulch. The contract award was approved by roll call: Commissioner Johnson (aye), Vice Chairman Peay (yes), Commissioner Boyd (yes), Commissioner Gooch (yes), Mr. Phillips (yes), Commissioner McAfee (yes) and Chairman Carr (yes). The vote record is part of the committee minutes. The contract will replace the existing contractor relationship; staff said CNC has previously performed work for the county at some sites. Committee members asked staff to confirm the mulch type and ensure the agreement excludes untreated “raw” mulch if that is a concern; staff said they will follow up. The committee signed the contract award and directed staff to finalize contract documents for execution.