Finance and Administration Cabinet
Commonwealth saves money through reduction in mowing costs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Commonwealth saves money through reduction in mowing costs

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 4, 2010) –This summer, employees and visitors to several state-owned buildings in Frankfort will notice fewer lawn mowers and higher grass in the lawns surrounding some buildings.  This change is not an oversight on the part of the Landscaping Branch of the Finance and Administration Cabinet’s Department of Facilities and Support Services (DFSS).  It is the result of two new, innovative practices to maintain the grass in a more environmentally friendly manner at a lower cost to taxpayers. 

“During these tough economic times, we must carefully examine every expenditure to ensure we are running state government in the most efficient manner possible,” said Jonathan Miller, secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet.  “Kentucky has already established itself as a national leader in operating more sustainable public buildings through reductions in operating costs and energy consumption.  Our Landscaping Branch has been very proactive in implementing those same principles through grounds maintenance to help save tax dollars while reducing our carbon footprint.”       

Mowing will be reduced in acreage and by frequency in some areas on the grounds of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) building on Coffeetree Rd., the Central Laboratory Facility on Sower Blvd., Berry Mansion and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services complex.  The areas near buildings, parking lots and sidewalks will continue to be mowed weekly, but other areas will only be mowed seasonally as required to properly maintain the grass. 

Between the four facilities, mowing will be reduced by approximately 33 acres, resulting in an estimated annual savings of more than $80,000.  The cost savings will be realized through the elimination of five part-time summer temporary staff positions and a reduction in maintenance and fuel costs. 

The Landscaping Branch has also converted 1.9 acres at KDLA and 2.1 acres at the Central Laboratory Facility from turf grass to native plantings to include grass, forbs and woody plants.  The exchange will result in an annual savings of more than $5,000 through reductions in mowing and pesticide costs.

The long-term benefits of restoring native habitats include reducing carbon emissions, providing an improved habitat for migratory and game birds, enhancing the biological diversity that represents the rich natural heritage of plants and wildlife in Kentucky, providing a carbon sink for greenhouse gases and educating the public about conservation.

Contingent upon the availability of funding, DFSS eventually plans to plant native grass on nearly 18 acres of land surrounding KDLA and the Central Laboratory Facility.  The ultimate habitat goals will include perennial and annual native warm season grasses and forbs; woody plants of briars, vines and shrubs; young forest; and mature forest.  Interpretive signs will explain the habitat to visitors.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Department for Natural Resources provided equipment to remove the existing grass, a drill seeder to plant the native grasses and forbs, chemicals and native warm season grass seed for the project.  The Division of Forestry will provide seedling trees.  Project parameters, labor and guidance are provided by the Landscape Branch of DFSS.

###