Appling County awards $951,000 timber-harvest contract to Murray Forestry

The Appling County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to award a timber-harvest contract to Murray Forestry for $951,000.

Commissioner Charlie Leggett moved to accept the highest bid and Commissioner Doug Harris seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. County staff noted the contract term is 18 months and that wetland timber may not be available for as long as two years, which could delay some portions of the harvest.

Board members said the county plans to sell timber and follow with replanting on harvested tracts. No specific schedule or disposition of the proceeds was detailed during the June 7 regular meeting.

Why it matters: The contract represents one of the larger single-source revenues presented to the board in the June meetings and will involve multi-year operations on county-managed land. Commissioners emphasized replanting as part of the harvest plan.

Next steps: The board approved the award and did not attach additional committee work or conditions at the meeting; implementation timelines will be driven by contractor scheduling and the availability of wetland wood as described by staff.