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Santa Maria approves 36‑month landscape maintenance contract with JD Heumann Landscaping amid 3–2 split
Summary
After reviewing a cost comparison with city-provided services, the council approved a 36‑month contract with JD Heumann Landscaping for city landscape maintenance districts by a 3–2 vote; dissenting council members said they preferred other local providers or city staffing.
The Santa Maria City Council voted 3–2 on July 1 to approve a 36‑month service agreement with JD Heumann Landscaping to maintain the city’s landscape maintenance districts.
The council received a follow-up report showing contractor pricing compared with estimated costs for the city to provide the same services in-house. Staff said JD Heumann’s proposal totals about $1,083,148 annually (priced at $0.21 per square foot), while city staffing to deliver the same level of service was estimated at about $2.9 million annually and would require roughly 24.5 new full‑time positions and approximately $810,000 in upfront equipment and vehicle costs.
Nut graf: The council’s decision reflects a trade-off between cost savings and in-house control. Staff said the contractor bid falls within the district budgets set aside for landscape maintenance; council members who opposed the award cited quality concerns and the belief that other city vendors could perform better.
What passed: Staff recommended JD Heumann based on a scoring matrix of proposals (JD Heumann scored highest among four bidders) and the fact that the contractor’s pricing fit within current district budgets. The recommended contract includes four landscape districts and extra services such as repairs after vehicle accidents and other unplanned work. Staff also noted the firm has served the city since 1982.
Council debate and vote: Council Member Flores said she was not satisfied with JD Heumann’s performance and would not support the award. Council Member Aguilar Hernandez also voted no. Mayor Pro Tem Puerto Escobedo, Council Member Gloria Soto and Mayor Alice Patino voted to approve the contract; the motion carried 3–2. Staff said there are minimal documented complaints and that the contractor has been responsive to service requests.
Next steps and budget impact: The contract award was presented as fitting within existing district appropriations (staff cited $1.8 million set aside for landscape maintenance). Staff will finalize the agreement and the city manager or designee is authorized to execute the contract per the adopted resolution. Council did not direct a different procurement or in‑house conversion at this meeting.
