Ranch readies for interim contractors

Lakewood Ranch Community Development District boards this week are expected to hire two new landscaping contractors to perform work until a permanent replacement can be found.

Representatives of the Inter-District Authority today heard plans from Town Hall staff to recommend the hiring of two new contractors — Valley Crest and ArtisTree — on an interim basis.

Lakewood Ranch CDDs 1, 4 and 5 will meet Thursday to vote on the issue.

The districts’ current provider, Garden Leaders, whose contracts expire this month, recently filed a lawsuit alleging the IDA and districts violated state open-meetings laws during the vendor selection process.

Town Hall’s Operations Director Ryan Heise said a permanent contractor, once selected, likely will start in January.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].