AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta leaders agreed to bring on a full-time arborist to help manage trees and storm damage. Most of the cost will be covered by a three-year grant. The Augusta Commission voted 8-1 on Tuesday to partner with the University of Georgia Extension Service on the position, contingent on the city actually getting a $150,000 grant from the Community Foundation for the CSRA. Commissioner Lonnie Wimberly voted no. Commissioners Tony Lewis and Wayne Guilfoyle were absent. Crews held a topping-out ceremony Tuesday morning, marking the highest piece of steel going into Augusta’s new arena. The proposal came from Campbell Vaughn with UGA Extension, who told commissioners he secured a $150,000 grant over three years to help fund the job. The arborist’s benefits would be handled by the state, while Augusta-Richmond County would contribute up to about $36,000 a year toward salary and related costs and could assign an underused city vehicle to the role. An additional $1,500 was requested for continuing education and training. Augusta-Richmond County leaders will decide the community’s 2026 property tax millage rate at a public meeting next week. Commissioner Brandon Garrett walked through the math with Vaughn and City Administrator Tameka Allen during the discussion. Wimberly questioned the overall cost and whether the job would serve other counties. Vaughn said the arborist would conduct tree assessments only within Richmond County, but would also support…
*This content (including text, artwork, graphics, photography, and video) was provided by the third party(ies) as referenced above. Any rights or other content questions or inquiries should be directed to such third-party provider(s).
