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Council reviews new Urban Forestry division: $2 million for contracts, IRA grant for inventory, commissioner vacancy
Summary
Council members discussed the newly separated Urban Forestry division, its 28 budgeted employees, a $2 million ‘other contractual’ line for tree work with contractor Van Curren, a vacant Commissioner position, and a $3.4 million Inflation Reduction Act grant that includes about $1 million for a right‑of‑way tree inventory.
The City Council’s budget hearing reviewed a newly established Division of Urban Forestry that the 2025 operating budget shows with 28 budgeted employees and an operating total of $5,993,520.
Acting Commissioner Toye Porch told the committee that all positions in the new division were transferred from the Division of Parks except for a newly budgeted Commissioner of Urban Forestry position, which is vacant. Porch said the job description was expected to be approved by civil service and the city expected to begin hiring soon, estimating about eight weeks after approval and a goal of filling the role before the summer season.
Several council members pressed staff for details on how tree work…
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