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Board OKs two $1 million master contracts for tree-mortality operations; sheriff's office outlines costs
Summary
Supervisors approved master contracts with Arbor Works LLC and South Fork Forest Solutions (each up to $1,000,000) for tree-mortality operations through 2028; staff said average removal costs vary by diameter and that about 75% of costs are reimbursed by the state.
The Madera County Board of Supervisors on June 10 approved master agreements with two contractors — Arbor Works LLC and South Fork Forest Solutions — each with a not-to-exceed amount of $1,000,000 for tree-mortality operations through fiscal year 2024–2028.
Joseph Wilder of the sheriff—s office described the contracts as master agreements: individual projects will be bid against the master contract, and actual payments to a given contractor will depend on project-specific awards. Wilder said the county has administered similar work since 2015 and that average costs vary by tree diameter: smaller trees are less expensive to remove, while a large R4-size tree on average costs about $2,000. He said a desktop average over time for tree removal has been about $250 per tree, depending on size and project logistics.
Wilder corrected a staff-report typo and said approximately 75% (not 80%) of costs come back from the state on eligible projects. Supervisors thanked the sheriff's office for managing tree-mortality work and noted the public benefit of removing at-risk trees before they fall on public infrastructure.
The board approved the two contracts by unanimous vote; staff said specific projects will be bid to the pool of contractors and that the master agreements let the county select the most competitive price per project and season.
