Miami Lakes workshop: lakes to be restocked, lake‑maintenance contract set for bid ahead of 2026 expiration

Town staff told the Oct. 16 special taxing district workshop that routine lake maintenance has reverted to two cycles per month and that fish stocking for the two maintained lakes is scheduled before the end of the month.

JP, a town staff member, said the town will stock about 338 bass in each of the two lakes the special taxing districts maintain — Lake Hilda and Lake Patricia — with fish measuring roughly 2 to 3 inches. "We're expecting to receive 338 bass, measuring approximately 2 to 3 inches in length, in both Lake Hilda and Lake Patricia," JP said. Staff explained availability shortages earlier in the year delayed the stocking to October.

JP also reminded the council that the town's lake maintenance services contract — which covers chemical treatments, routine maintenance cycles and fish stocking — is set to expire in January 2026. Staff plans to place a 60‑day extension on the contract while preparing an Invitation to Bid; JP said the ITB work will be prepared before the end of the month. "We are planning on putting an extension, a 60 day extension on that contract so that we could go out to bid beforehand," JP said.

Councilmembers asked whether aeration or fountain maintenance would be included in the upcoming procurement. JP said the town intends to include aeration as an additional contracted service with prepriced options so elected officials will have estimated costs if the town chooses installation later. Council members noted prior quotes for aeration systems in the range of $25,000–$28,000 per lake and said those amounts would need to be budgeted if pursued.

JP said the procurement would likely seek a three‑year contract with two option years. He added staff will check contract‑extension notice requirements and return with procurement timelines and any expected price impacts once bids are received. No formal action was taken at the workshop.