Maintenance Outsourcing

In a growing trend, the Fairhope, Alabama City Council approved hiring an outside landscaping firm Monday to mow grass, despite warnings from city staffers that doing so could deprive the city of enough workers to maintain Fairhope?EUR??,,????'?????<

It was the only bid submitted to the city for the contract, according to city documents. Public Works Director Jennifer Fidler warned that the move likely would "save the city about $100,000 on paper" while diminishing services.

The Financial Advisory Committee, created in July of last year at Mixon’s behest, encouraged city officials to seek bids on privatizing city services.