The North Aurora Village Board on Oct. 6 approved a $41,400 contract to Homer Tree Care to trim parkway trees in multiple subdivisions after staff said the low sealed bid met the specifications and legal counsel urged the board to accept the lowest responsible bid.

The decision followed public comment from Andrew Ranney of Skyline Tree Service, who asked the board to consider awarding the work to his family-owned company despite its proposal being about $195 higher than the lowest bid. "I respectfully ask that you consider awarding the contract to Skyline Tree Service," Ranney said, describing his company as a longtime local provider that had assisted the village after a recent storm.

Board members and staff said the project was procured through a September request for proposals that returned three proposals. Public works staff recommended awarding the contract to Homer Tree Care, which submitted the lowest responsive sealed bid. Kevin, a staff member who addressed procurement rules during discussion, told the board, "You take the lowest responsible bid, meaning that it's a bid that is responsive to the specs." He added that rejecting the low bid would require a specific, documented reason.

Board members asked whether the village had previously used the bidders; staff replied that the village has used several firms in the past, including Skyline and Homer. The board discussed that sealed-bid procedures and state law constrain when the village may waive or reject the low bid.

The motion to award the contract to Homer Tree Care passed unanimously: Trustee Nejuez, Trustee Salazar, Trustee Christiansen, Trustee Lowery and Mayor Gaffino voted yes.

The vote keeps the village on schedule to expand trimming work in the spring and to advance the town's seven-year tree-trimming program, staff said.