Folsom City Council approves 3-year contract with goat herder to trim weeds

The Folsom City Council approved a nearly $1 million, three-year contract this week for herds of goats to trim weeds around town. Over the past seven years, the city of Folsom Parks and Recreation Department has been using goat herds as part of the annual weed abatement program, which includes the usual mowers, weedeaters and staff. With rising mechanical maintenance costs, staff found the herds save labor and fuel costs by grazing rather than mowing, staff said in the report. "Beyond the cost savings, grazing removes fire fuel rather than just cutting the weeds and leaving it." Jamison Larson, municipal landscape service supervisor for Folsom Parks, said last summer the city has roughly 639 acres of open space. Grazing animals were used for weed trimming across 531 of those acres during fire season last year, he said. There were eight herds of 500 animals each grazing in various neighborhoods across the city. Parks and Rec advertised last month for proposals from interested goat herders, and an internal review team was assembled. The criteria for ranking were based on relevant experience, staff resources, project understanding and ability to complete work in time frames. Four goat herd responses came in, with one incomplete, staff said. The bidders were Capra, Intergrazers and Blue Tent Farms. After review, staff said, "Capra Environmental were the most qualified based on their ability to complete the scope of work in the allotted time frame and expertise." The cost of the contract will be funded through several city bank accounts. Funds were budgeted and are available in the Folsom 2024-25 fiscal budget. The total cost of the agreement is $961,000, staff said. The initial term of the contract will be three years, and funding for subsequent years beyond 2025 will be addressed in each year's budget. The 2024-25 contract amount is thus trimmed to roughly $320,000. A breakdown of different Folsom neighborhoods targeted to graze: · Parks maintenance – 25 acres, $144,799. · American River Canyon North – 41 acres, $20,480. · Briggs Ranch – six acres, $2,844. · Folsom Heights – 15 acres, $7,694. · Natoma Station – four acres, $2,153. · Prairie Oaks Ranch – 53 acres, $26,217. · Los Cerros – half acre, $254. · Willow Springs – 23 acres, $10,646. · Broadstone I/2/4 – 22 acres, $11,048. · Broadstone 3 – 35 acres $17,201. · CFD special district 18 – 157 acres, $77,000. The Folsom City Council approved the contract without discussion during the consent agenda Tuesday.