Granite Falls council delays cemetery mowing contract, approves two other lawn bids

Granite Falls City Council on Thursday reviewed proposals for the 2026 mowing season and approved two contracts while deferring a higher cemetery bid for further review.

City staff presented three proposals for municipal mowing, saying the packet included last year’s payments and current proposals. The staff member said DNA Lawn Care would continue to service several town areas and a separate contractor would handle maintenance at the new dog park. A separate proposal from a bidder identified as Perry included optional additional work at the city cemetery, staff said.

Council member B said the cemetery proposal represented “quite an increase” and noted the cost was not budgeted. “I just think it’s a lot of money,” Council member B said, arguing the city might re‑advertise the job or delay action until spring. Staff replied the bidder cited new, optional tasks—such as weed‑whipping around headstones and repairing sunken gravesites—when explaining the higher price, and staff said there have been few other bidders since a previous contractor stopped offering the service.

After discussion, a council member moved to approve the DNA Lawn Care quote and the dog‑park contractor; another council member seconded the motion and the council approved both contracts by voice vote. The council did not approve the cemetery proposal and directed staff to follow up with the bidder for a clearer cost explanation or to re‑bid the work.

The council did not provide a roll‑call tally for the mowing votes; approvals were recorded by voice. Staff said prior cemetery work had cost less—one speaker recalled a figure near $600 from several years ago—but clarified that the current proposal includes optional additional tasks that affect the price.

The council’s next regular meeting will include budget and truth‑in‑taxation items, staff reminded members.