KIRKSVILLE -- In an out-of-the-ordinary move, the Kirksville City Council voted unanimously Monday night to accept an unsolicited bid from a private contractor to help with this year's Spring Cleanup.
The bid for $12,555 was submitted recently by Cannaday Tree Service to do the brush and limb portion of the city's annual cleanup.
We wondered if it was legal for the city to hire a contractor for a project without requesting bids from other companies.
We checked with City Attorney Howard Hickman. He researched state statutes for us.
After reviewing the law, Hickman said he feels confident the city isn't required to put a matter like this up for bid.
City officials say the unsolicited bid came in too late to put the project up for bid because the annual Spring Cleanup starts Monday, March 23.
Public Works Director John Buckwalter said the tree service can do the work for about $5,000 cheaper than city crews can, plus it frees up city crews to do other necessary work.
City leaders said they're going to give a private contractor a try this year and see how it works. If all goes well, they will likely bid out the job next spring.
For more information on when Spring Cleanup crews will be in your neighborhood, check out another story at www.heartlandconnection.com.
Look for the headline "Cost-saving idea for Spring Cleanup."
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