BARRHEAD - County of Barrhead councillors are happy with the service the municipality receives from two independent contractors who provide mowing services. During the May 7 council meeting, they opted to renew their contracts.
The first contract was awarded to Virginia MacGillivray for mowing the approximate 1.6-acre municipal reserve for the 2024 season. The agreement stipulates a rate of $120 per cut for four to six cuts. If necessary, the public works department will determine whether to make additional cuts, also at $120 per cut.
Under the agreement, MacGillivray will be covered by the municipality's Worker's Compensation Board (WCB) insurance.
County manager Debbie Oyarzun noted that MacGillivray has held the contract for mowing the municipality's public reserve in the subdivision for several years and that this is the first increase in the rate since 2018. The previous rate per cut was $110.
She added that both parties can terminate the agreement with 30 days' notice.
Infrastructure director Ken Hove added that MacGillivray lives in the area and often makes extra cuts without billing the municipality.
Coun. Walter Preugschas asked why they did not offer MacGillivray a multi-year contract, which is the norm for most of the county's subcontractors.
Oyarzun replied that that was MacGillivray's decision.
"She's not sure how much longer she wants to continue," she said, adding earlier in the year, MacGillivray was unsure if she wanted to offer her services for the 2024 mowing season.
The second contract councillors approved was a three-year contract to Luke's Contract Hauling to mow 13 locations throughout the county, primarily municipal reserves, campgrounds, or parks.
Oyarzun noted that, like the previous contractor, Luke's Contract Hauling has held the contract for several years and has always met or exceeded the municipality's expectations.
Although she did not mention how much the contract was for annually, Oyarzun said the county's 2024 operational budget set aside $10,586 for the service.
"They do an excellent job, and we would like them to continue," Hove added.
Deputy reeve Marvin Schatz asked Luke's Contract Hauling was the one that mowed around the "Welcome to the County of Barrhead" signs.
Hove replied that public works staff is tasked with the job.
"It is a good project for us to have when we are recovering from rain and we cannot do other projects," he said.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
