I checked into what you said about the resident who works for a landscaping company. What I found out was that he had offered the mulch but had not checked with his employer before he made the offer. When he did check with his employer, they said "no". I also was told he no longer is employed by that company.
Regarding the mowing issue, here is what we are charged: $44.00 to do each side of both entrances; $44.00 to mow the access lot and detention area which is 1 1/2 acres (mows that area twice a month); $25.00 to pull weeds and spray both landscaped areas of each entrance (only done when we ask that it be done--once in June). Our June mowing total was $333.00 which was for 5 weeks mowing, 2 access/detention mows and 1 weed/spray.