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Tamarac commission rejects $766,000 Westside dog park contract after resident concerns
Summary
A planned Westside dog park project drew public opposition over cost; the commission voted down the contract award and asked staff to return for more discussion.
Tamarac commissioners voted against awarding a design-build contract for a Westside dog park on Aug. 27 after residents and several commissioners questioned the cost and priority of the project. The proposed agreement with Waypoint Contracting called for a contract amount of $696,536.40 plus a 10% contingency for a total project budget listed at about $766,190; the motion to award and appropriate funds failed 5-0.
The Parks and Recreation director described the planned dog park as a half-acre, amenity-rich facility with fencing, lighting, and site work. Parks director Melissa Petrone said optional add-ons in the bid — lighting, security and Wi-Fi — accounted for a large part of optional line items but had been excluded from the base award.
Residents who spoke opposed the expense. Ronald J. Wasserman said neighborhoods already had dog parks and that police and public safety staffing should be a higher priority. Several commissioners cited the project’s price for a roughly half-acre park as too high and asked for comparative costs from neighboring cities and a fuller breakdown. Commissioner Marlon Bolton said he would not support the project at the proposed price and urged staff to seek alternatives or push the project back.
City staff said much of the high cost came from essential infrastructure: lighting, drainage, electrical and required fencing. Public Services Director Mustafa Alassam noted the bid included a base construction price and a larger set of optional equipment that drove higher totals when added.
Outcome: The commission voted 5-0 against awarding the contract and asked staff to return with alternatives, cost comparisons to other local dog parks, and options to make existing parks more dog-friendly without the large capital cost.
Ending: Commissioners instructed staff to pause the procurement and bring a revised plan with clearer cost options, comparisons, and possible phased approaches for neighborhood park improvements.
