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The contract to maintain Spokane Valley parks was one of the first the city awarded to an entity other than Spokane County.
Last week, the City Council opted to give that service provider the job for seven more years.
On Oct. 27, the council unanimously voted to give a $560,532 per year contract to Senske Lawn and Tree Care. While there is a provision for one-year renewals, the deal will last for seven years, which is two more than the existing contract with Senske.
“We’ve been getting first-rate service (with Senske),” Mayor Richard Munson said prior to the council’s vote, adding that moving away from Spokane County to the private sector was one “we weren’t sure was going to work or not.”
“The best thing is, we’re giving people in the private sector a job,” Munson said. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”
While two others did bid to do the maintenance work for the city’s parks – TruGreen turned in an offer for $640,597 a year, while Four Seasons had an offer for $629,373 – Senske will do the work for about $48,000 less than it did back in 2005.
The difference, according to Mike Stone, parks director, is that Senske knows it will have a seven-year commitment and that was “extremely enticing.”
The council also renewed its contract with the YMCA to maintain the city’s three swimming pools. That contract will last for five years but will also contain the same provision for one-year renewals.
The contract will cost the city a bit more in 2010, however. Stone said that last year’s payment to YMCA was about $233,000 and will go up to $365,000 in 2010. That’s because new features were added to Park, Terrace View and Valley Mission pools, which will require more maintenance.
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By
Mike Huffman
