The Town Council voted to award a contract totaling $308,705 to Artistic Land Management for the annual landscaping needs for the town, but faced an objection by another bidder.

The work entails maintaining parks, medians, other common areas as well as the new Avenue of the Fountains Plaza. It is largely mowing, tree trimming and irrigation maintenance.

Community Services Director Mark Mayer said the town has been happy with Artistic over the past five years and wants to renew the agreement.

Verde Valley Nursery, a Fountain Hills business, also bid on the contract, and according to owner Sam Mousa, bid lower over five years for the work. He asked that the contract be rebid.

However, Mayer said a stipulation of the contract is that the qualifying bidder has experience with a single contract equal to at least 75 percent of the bid for the town. Verde Valley did not qualify on that requirement, Mayer said.

Mousa said they have not done a single contract in that amount but cumulative jobs in excess of $1 million.

Town Attorney Andrew McGuire said the town would have to toss all bids to re-bid the project. Mayer said the contract expires at the end of the month and he does not have the time to rebid before expiration.

“We are very happy with Artistic,” Mayer said.

“I have no doubt that Verde Valley is committed to the work, but I also have concerns they would need to make substantial capital investment to do the job.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh said Verde Valley is doing work for the town related to maintaining drainage areas.

Councilman Alan Magazine said he would prefer to use a local business for contracts if they can. However, he moved the approval of the Artistic agreement which was approved unanimously.