Potential contract bidders tour Village

Siesta Key Village inched closer to a “resort-style environment” as Sarasota County General Manager of Business Operations Tom Maroney led vendors interested in undertaking Village maintenance this morning on a one-hour tour of the territory.

There were just under 25 vendor representatives who attended the tour, which was required if a firm wants to bid on the one-year contract to perform Village maintenance — which Siesta Key Village Association President Russell Matthes said he expected to generate more interest. “It’s an interesting gig,” he told the Pelican Press during the tour. “I thought more (vendors) would show up.”

Vendors were asked by Maroney to hold questions through the zigzagging trek that resembled a grown-up field trip. The current cost of annual maintenance estimated by Sarasota County is $200,000, said Sarasota County Traffic Engineering staff member Ryan Montague during a forum at the Sarasota County Commission chambers immediately following the tour.

The contract includes maintenance of various types from pressure washing sidewalks and bike racks to replacing coconut trees after a freeze. The question and answer forum at the Commission chambers was also a requirement of the bidding process and about 15 vendor representatives attended.

For more on the initial bidding process and pictures from the tour pick up a copy of the June 18 issue of the Pelican Press.