Councilman questions St. John’s use of 1 firm for tree cutting services
Published 1:00 am Wednesday, March 6, 2019
- Figures show St. John spent $117,000 on such services in 2017 and $80,000 in 2018 with one tree cutting service.
LAPLACE — Councilman Thomas Malik recently asked St. John the Baptist Parish administration why the parish doesn’t go out for bids for tree cutting services.
Thomas Malik
During last week’s Parish Council meeting, it was said that under Louisiana Public Law and the parish’s procurement policy, a bid is not required for professional services for public works projects under $157,000.
Figures show St. John spent $117,000 on such services in 2017 and $80,000 in 2018 with one tree cutting service.
“There are other tree-cutting businesses in the parish,” Malik said, adding he would like to provide an opportunity to get more entities involved. “We want to be fair and have everybody apply.”
Council members agreed with the concept, although with the caveat that any interested firms must be licensed and insured.
Forms are available on the parish website for companies looking to participate.
— By Richard Meek
