Augusta Leaders Struggle to Fix Grass Maintenance System

Residents frustrated as overgrown city-owned properties sit neglected ahead of growing season

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Augusta commissioners have yet to agree on how to fix the city's grass maintenance system, leaving residents frustrated as overgrown city-owned properties sit neglected just weeks before the growing season begins. The current system is divided across four departments, leading to coordination challenges and inconsistent upkeep. With a $800,000 budget on the table, the city must decide whether to stick with the current setup or create a new vegetation management department.

Why it matters

Maintaining the city's green spaces is an important quality of life issue for Augusta residents. Overgrown, neglected properties can drag down property values, attract pests, and make neighborhoods feel unkempt. As the growing season approaches, the city must find an effective solution to ensure consistent grass and vegetation management across all public areas.

The details

Augusta's grass maintenance is currently divided between four city departments - Central Services, Parks and Recreation, Engineering, and inmate crews. Together they maintain over 1,000 miles of roadways, 168 ponds, 86 miles of ditches, 49 parks and 8 cemeteries using a mix of new and aging equipment. The 2025-26 budget includes $800,000 for vegetation work, with $450,000 already committed to median mowing contracts, leaving $350,000 in startup funds for a new approach.

  • The growing season in Augusta typically begins in March.
  • Augusta commissioners failed to vote on a plan at their February 3rd meeting.

The players

Bill Schuetze

A resident who has invested in his property on Greene Street, but is frustrated by the overgrown city-owned grass along the Calhoun Expressway that he says regularly grows out of control.

Augusta Mayor

The mayor hopes commissioners will make a decision on a plan to streamline and simplify the city's grass and vegetation management at their next meeting.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's not rocket science — it's mowing grass and it seems to me that they should be able to figure out how to do that.”

— Bill Schuetze, Resident (WRDW)

“There's many other places, as we all know, all around the city. My goodness. We see them all every day.”

— Bill Schuetze, Resident (WRDW)

What’s next

After failing to vote on a path forward at their February 3rd meeting, Augusta commissioners say they will bring the conversation back up at their next meeting.

The takeaway

Maintaining the city's green spaces is an important quality of life issue for Augusta residents, but the current fragmented grass maintenance system has led to inconsistent upkeep and frustration among locals. As the growing season approaches, the city must find an effective solution to ensure consistent management of public areas.