Magistrate hears landscape bid protest

Representatives of Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts and landscape contractor Garden Leaders today began public testimony before special magistrate Hamilton "Chip" Rice in an effort to settle a bid protest filed by Garden Leaders last month.

The hearing, which is being held in accordance with the operating procedures for Lakewood Ranch CDDs 1, 4 and 5, is expected to last all day, and possibly longer, at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

After reviewing testimony from the case, Rice will make a recommended order that contains findings of fact and conclusions of law for the case. His recommended order then would go to each district board for consideration.

Garden Leaders, the districts' former contractor, filed a bid protest Dec. 8, after CDD supervisors agreed to hire Down to Earth for landscaping services.

Supervisors on Dec. 15 declared an immediate and serious danger to the public's health, safety and welfare to necessitate the continuation of the contract award process. Down to Earth started landscaping services Jan. 1.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Hamilton "Chip" Rice is overseeing the proceeding.