ORANGE PARK – The Town Council unanimously approved an authorization to award a contract for Orange Park’s landscaping services to United Land Services during its meeting on Tuesday night.

After the extended deal with Brightview Landscape Services expires at the end of May, United will begin its contract with the town on June 1, said Public Works Director Kyle Croce.

“We will sit down with United and get all of their paperwork together (in May), and then we’ll have a pre-construction, pre-maintenance meeting in May as well, for them to get ready starting June 1,” he said.

The contract will be for three years, with two or one-year renewal options at the sole option of the town.

The agreement will provide Orange Park with 18% savings.

During the process, four landscaping agencies submitted a Request for Proposal, which was reviewed by a Selection Advisory Committee, which reviewed, ranked,and scored the proposals.

The committee, consisting of Eddie Smith, Rachel Savidge, Vada Davis, Emily Dockery and Croce, ranked United first with 474 points out of 500. Brightview was second with 419 points.

In another positive development for Orange Park, while their new contractor doesn’t live inside town limits, the company is headquartered at Green Cove Springs.

“We’re all about ‘shop local,’ and while there isn’t anybody that’s certified and capable within town limits, I’m just thrilled we got somebody from Clay County, which is as close to home as you’re going to get. I’m thrilled that we are getting (a service) that is local,” he said.