The Newton County Board of Commissioners voted to approve two five-year contracts for lawn care and recycling services without seeking bids at their meeting Tuesday night. It was a decision that caused dissention between board members, something that has happened over the last few years.

The board voted 3-2 in favor of renewing a five-year contract with Durden’s Lawn Maintenance for $98,116. The company has been providing lawn care service to the county since 2006. Commissioners John Douglas, J.C. Henderson and Levie Maddox voted in favor of extending the contract, and commissioners Lanier Sims and Nancy Schulz voted against renewing the contract.

The vote fell the same way for the renewal of the contract with Junior Hilliard General Services for $412,331 per year for recycling services, as a motion was approved 3-2 to continue services with the company. Schulz and Sims again suggested the board bid out the contract to compare prices. The contract for Junior Hilliard General Services has been renewed consistently since 2001.

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