Cobb DOT: Cuts Impede Mowing

Bill Shelton, Cobb County Department of Transportation Road Maintenance Division Manager, faced tough questions about the mowing of medians and road shoulders at Commissioner JoAnn Birrell's town hall meeting last week.

Residents complained that the tall grass is an eyesore, and in certain locations on road shoulders, a hazard.

"We had a median contractor and a shoulder contractor costing $900,000 a year. We chose to do away with those contracts to save money. We are now mowing with in-house crews. We are cutting medians only. Two crews are dedicated. We're making rounds in the county. Currently we're at Johnson Ferry headed to Shallowford," Shelton said.

Shelton said that it takes 60 calendar days to mow the county.

"Due to budget cuts we have to think outside the box," Shelton told Northeast Cobb Patch. "We're asking subdivision HOAs to mow the front of subdivisions. We're asking volunteers to help pick up roadside trash."

Shelton told Patch that last Wednesday two businessmen presented a plan to form a non-profit organization through which businesses contribute to the maintenance of right-of-ways.

"I can't say much about it right now. It's a good plan, but must go through the bureaucratic process," Shelton said. He presented the plan to DOT Director Faye DiMassimo Tuesday. If DiMassimo approves, the plan then goes before County Manager David Hankerson and Commissioners for approval, he said.

The Road Maintenance Division operates and maintains the county's roadway systems including bridges, right-of-way drainage, sidewalks and landscaping.

In the video, Shelton explains the DOT's plan for road mowing in light of the budget cuts.