City yet to land mowing contract
City workers have mowed the state right of way on the bypass twice since purchasing a $60,000 tractor for the job, but have yet to receive a contract for this summer’s upcoming work.
McMinnville urban forester Nick Kuhn has informed city officials of the situation, saying the formal process has not been done, or even initiated, yet.
Even though the state is currently under contract with a private company to mow through June, city workers have mowed in good faith of receiving the contract.
City officials have been discussing the idea with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for about a year, Kuhn said, adding he has made numerous calls to the department asking for the paperwork, to no avail.
“It took me almost two years to get TDOT to give me a contract to plant a tree and it still took politician calling to make it happen, so they’re obviously not in any rush, but we are,” he said.
“And somewhere in between, we’ve got to get that thing signed so that they don’t have to worry about it anymore and we’re going to get paid for our work.”
City officials purchased the tractor and have hired another full-time employee in hopes of receiving at least $35,000 to mow the bypass area.
“Until we have that paper, we don’t know exactly, but that’s what it was a few years ago, so it should be that or better,” Kuhn added of the anticipated revenue. “And that will pay for the person doing it and fuel and stuff.”
Kuhn hoped with the help of an elected official and the end of the contract terms at the end of this month the paperwork would be offered.
“I think they figure they don’t have to worry about it yet because there still is a contract in place. And as soon as that’s gone, they’ll be a little more concerned,” he added.
However, if the city does any mowing at the bypass after this month, before a contract is formalized, it would appear the city would be doing the work for free.