- February 5, 2025
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Scott Mims knows landscaping, and he’s ready to prove it for the next two years.
Port Orange City Council awarded the local landscaper, owner of Scotty Boy Landscaping and Maintenance, a two-year contract to maintain grass, bushes and edging in the city’s public areas, such as parks.
“It was a relief,” Mims said.
The City received four bids for the two-contract, including one from Yellowstone Landscaping.
The city was ready to renew the contract with Yellowstone but instead unanimously chose Scotty Boy.
Scott’s wife and partner, Stephanie, said she was moved by the Council’s leap of faith.
“I cried after the meeting,” she sad. “I think what really brought it home was saving taxpayer money.”
Scotty Boy’s bid, which Scott prepared by evaluating city landscaping himself, was about $13,000 lower, which he said he’d prefer go to local public safety departments or other city programs.
Though Mims had the lowest bid for the project, council members were concerned that the small company did not have sufficient references of large-scope projects.
However, Mims' 30 years of experience made up for it.
He began landscaping when his family built a golf course.
Mims was in charge of maintaining the grounds, which required a lot of attention to detail, he said.
He continued that level of work in his career, including when he worked for LPGA International in Daytona Beach, and when he started his own business five years ago.
Mims began maintaining residential landscaping before taking on maintaining grounds for Walton Realty Group properties with two full-time and a handful of part-time workers.
The city contract will help him buy more equipment and employ four additional workers.
“I'm anxious to get started,” Mims said.
Councilmen Scott Stiltner and Drew Bastian said it made sense to choose a local company that came at a lower cost.
“How does anyone get to a project of this scope if someone doesn't take a chance on them?” Bastian said.
Mayor Don Burnette also said the contract would have to enforce quality work.
He and council members said they have been displeased with the level of work they've received over the years.
Though Yellowstone had never received fines for inconsistencies in landscaping, such as failing to edge grass, City Council blamed it on a policing issue.
Mims said the city is currently drafting a performance bond, which will allow the city to break the contract if they are unhappy with his work.
Mims does not intend to let them down.
“We’re local, so we take pride in making the city look nice,” he said.
