Augusta’s plan to move mowing into a new grounds-management department would not, by itself, increase how often contracted areas are cut. Deputy Administrator Charles Jackson told commissioners that more frequent mowing in those areas would require additional money. Vacant lots would stay outside the department, and more work there would require additional resources for Environmental Services.
Jackson presented the transition plan at a commissioners’ workshop. It targets Jan. 1 for the department to be in place. Commissioners questioned whether the planned cutting schedule would be sufficient and what more frequent mowing would cost.
City data presented at the workshop showed nearly 40% of service requests for roadside, ditch and pond maintenance came from Districts 1 and 2. City leaders identified overgrown lots and neglected roadsides as their top complaint.
Jackson presented a $7.4 million budget, with contracts making up nearly 70% and in-house personnel about 30%. City Administrator Tameka Allen said the city would need more money whether or not it creates the department. Jackson said additional detail crews and civilian crew members were budgeted. He also said moving existing employees from Parks and Recreation, reclassifying their positions and training them to lead crews would not require additional commission funding.
Staff and Warden James McMillan had discussed five additional civilian crews. McMillan said civilian leaders must complete security training and can supervise three minimum-security inmates at a time. The plan calls for about 12 to 15 floating crews to address hotspots, with more detail crews expected by mowing season.
Jackson said staff and equipment transfers are expected by Jan. 1. Contracts are set to run through December 2027, and new staff must be trained before March 2027, the start of mowing season. Contractors with documented defects would have to return within 24 hours to correct them.
Mowing would move to the new department, while stormwater structures would remain with engineering and equipment maintenance would stay with fleet management. Commissioner Jordan Johnson requested an equipment replacement and maintenance cost estimate, recommendations for additional annual cuts and a plan for vacant lots, among other information.
Victoria Sterling
News Now Georgia
