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Winter Springs commission approves landscape maintenance contract after debate over outsourcing vs. in-house
Summary
Commissioners debated whether to outsource landscape maintenance or bring it in-house before approving a consolidated landscape maintenance contract on the consent agenda. Concerns included single-vendor risk, a large price discrepancy on pond maintenance, equipment and staffing needs, and the long-term capital cost of in-house operations.
The Winter Springs City Commission on Feb. 24 approved a consolidated landscape maintenance services contract as part of the consent agenda, after a lengthy discussion about whether the city should outsource the work or resume in‑house operations.
Commissioner Mark Caruso raised the strongest objections to outsourcing, saying the city once performed landscaping internally and should reconsider bringing crews back under city employment. “I’m tired of outsourcing,” Caruso told colleagues, arguing in-house crews could produce savings long term and allow more control over quality. Caruso estimated initial capital costs to start an in‑house operation at “anywhere from $400,000 to $600,000” and referenced an annual contract figure of about $700,000 discussed in the…
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