In a recent government meeting, officials discussed serious allegations of collusion among bidders for a brush cutting project, prompting a call for immediate action. The county attorney revealed that email correspondence between at least two of the three bidders suggested an attempt to manipulate the bidding process, raising concerns about potential violations of Florida law.

The meeting highlighted that one bidder had reported the suspicious communication, which included acknowledgment of the emails by another bidder. This raised questions about the integrity of the bidding process, with officials noting that collusion to inflate prices could have occurred. The attorney emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, stating, \"When you've got evidence that it occurs, you can't turn your head and not do something about it.\"

As the deadline for bids approached, officials debated their options, including disqualifying the implicated bidders, extending the bidding period, or scrapping the current process entirely. The board ultimately leaned towards postponing the bid for two weeks to allow for further investigation and to potentially attract additional bidders.

A motion was made to turn the matter over to law enforcement for a thorough investigation, although it was acknowledged that this would not resolve the bidding issue before the Thursday deadline. The board's decision reflects a commitment to uphold fair bidding practices while navigating the complexities of the situation.