The Sebastian City Council on Dec. 17 approved awarding a grant‑funded tree inventory and condition assessment contract to Wiregrass Ecological Associates, approving the $20,100 bid for parks and directing staff to return to council with any change‑order quotes before adding medians or other city locations.

Parks and recreation staff member Miss Graham told council the project was funded through a grant to perform tree canopy surveys and that bids came in with considerable variation. "Initially, based on funding, we assume we'd only have enough funding to cover the parks," she said, and added that, because Wiregrass is a smaller, non‑engineering firm, their pricing was ‘‘significantly lower’’ than national engineering firms with on‑site engineers.

Council member Dodd pressed staff on process control if the city expanded the work beyond the parks. He asked whether a change order would be required and whether that would need a rebid if the scope increased. "I would like to see a change order come back," Dodd said, adding he wanted specific items and areas identified before additional funds are authorized.

Miss Graham said the initial award covers parks for $20,100 and that staff will obtain a quote from the vendor if the city pursues additional medians or locations. "We will get a quote from them, and we can bring that back to council," she said. Council members emphasized ‘‘trust but verify’’ when approving authority for follow‑on spending.

Council approved the contract by motion; roll call showed unanimous support from Council members Nunn, Matthews and Dodd and Mayor Jones. Council also directed staff that any expansion beyond the scope already bid should be presented as a change order with specific line items for council approval.

The contract award is the first step; staff said they will assess whether additional sites are appropriate for the vendor or should be rebid, and will return with cost estimates and a proposed change order if they seek to expand the inventory.

Funding and procurement detail: the approved expenditure for the bid as presented to council was $20,100. Council discussion referenced a larger program cap figure ($62,500) and an available balance of about $40,000 if further work were approved; staff said any additional work would be evaluated and returned to council for specific approval.

The council’s action leaves the parks inventory under contract while preserving council control over additional spending or scope changes.