Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Swenson's 2025–27 lawn-care contract after questions about jump in price
Summary
The Wyoming City Council approved a 2025–27 lawn mowing contract with Swenson's Lawn Care after staff said five bids ranged roughly $53,000–$127,000 and the prior contract had been unusually low; council members pressed staff on a roughly 37% increase and whether services should be brought in-house.
The City of Wyoming City Council approved a three-year lawn-care contract with Swenson's Lawn Care for 2025–2027 after a short debate about a sizable price increase.
A council member raised a concern that the new fee represented an "about a 37% increase" compared with the prior contract. City public-works staff told the council that five bids were received, varying from about $53,000 per year up to roughly $127,000 per year, and said the previous agreement had been “very, very low.” The staff representative said increases reflect higher costs for labor, fuel and equipment and that staff had budgeted $65,000 for the line item before bids came in.
Staff also told the council the scope of work remains essentially the same — the same parks, facilities and lift stations — and that the significant variance in bid amounts likely reflected market conditions and earlier contracts that had been priced unusually low. The city noted it could consider bringing the work in-house but that would require substantial upfront equipment purchases and likely more full-time hiring.
Council members pressed for context about the scope and costs: the city has 17 parks that require service, staff said, and while seasonal employees can supplement work, hiring and equipment costs make an in-house option expensive up front. One council member who asked questions said they were uncomfortable making the motion but nevertheless voted in favor.
After discussion the council moved, seconded and approved the contract award by voice vote. The approved contract will cover mowing and related grounds maintenance for the city parks and facilities for the 2025–2027 term; contract implementation and start dates were not specified in the meeting record.
