WATCH: ACCGov Community Forester Tree Inspections

Did you know Athens-Clarke County has a Community Forestry Coordinator (often called the Community Forester) who can come inspect the trees at your home?

Check out this new video with ACCGov's Mateo Fennell, who explains the process during a typical inspection. The visit can provide tree risk assessments and consultations for tree care at your home.

To learn more and sign up for a home tree inspection, visit www.accgov.com/forester. 

Urgent Issues Flyer Awarded

The ACCGov Urgent Issues & Who to Call in Athens-Clarke County flyer recently received a Silver Circle (2nd place) award in the Other Publications category among all populations in the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) national Savvy Awards competition.

The flyer – designed by the Communications Department with input from Police, Fire, Transportation & Public Works, and other departments – provides easy to see graphic illustrations of 10 urgent issues that residents might encounter in the community along with contact information showing where to report each issue during different times of the day.

The flyer is available to residents on social media (@accgov) often highlighted preceding and during severe weather events, at tabling events, in hard copy editions of 2024 and 2025 ACC From A to Z guides, and online as a downloadable PDF at www.accgov.com/ema or www.accgov.com/weather. 

Nonprofit Speed Networking on Sept. 30

Back by popular demand, the ACCGov Housing & Community Development Department's Nonprofit Speed Networking event returns for its second year. The event brings together nonprofit leaders, program staff, and changemakers for an evening of connection, collaboration, and community building.

The event is on Tuesday, September 30 from 5:30-7:00 PM at the Lyndon House Arts Center (211 Hoyt Street). Whether you’re looking to grow your network, explore potential partnerships, or exchange ideas with like-minded professionals, this event is designed to make meaningful connections easy and enjoyable.

Attendees will be guided through a series of brief, focused conversations with fellow nonprofit professionals. The quick rounds are designed to help participants learn about each other’s work, share opportunities, and discover new ways to collaborate across sectors.

Space is limited! Details and registration at www.accgov.com/hcdnetworking.

Free Microchip Mondays at Animal Services

The Animal Services Department is offering free Microchip Mondays during September!

Pet microchips are small, rice-sized transponders implanted under a pet's skin that contain a unique ID number. The number is registered with a national database, linking the pet to their owner's contact information and enabling quick identification and reunification if the pet becomes lost.

Visit the Animal Services shelter at 125 Buddy Christian Way from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on September 15, 22, or 29 for free microchip implantation, help registering a microchip, assistance with updating your pet's current microchip information, or checking if your pet already has one.

Animal Services also has installed microchip scanning stations around the community. The stations provide an easy, accessible way for anyone who finds a stray pet to scan for a microchip and begin the process of reuniting them with their family without needing to wait for shelter hours or visit a vet clinic. 

Stations are located at Athens-Clarke County Animal Services, Memorial Park's dog park (293 Gran Ellen Drive), and Wiggley Field at Southeast Clarke Park (325 Whit Davis Road). 

Call Animal Services at 706-613-3540 with any questions.

Transit Service Improvements

As of August 11, ACCGov Transit has implemented several service improvements.

Notable changes include higher frequency on Routes 5 and 20 and extended hours on Routes 12 and 14, but several other improvements have been made on other routes. 

Before traveling, be sure to visit individual route pages for details and to check schedules at www.accgov.com/transit.

Renovated Costa Building Now Open

After almost two years of construction, the historic 17,200 sq.ft. Costa Building located at 133 E. Washington Street is ready for its next life as ACCGov office space.

The updated building now houses the People & Belonging, Economic Development, and Housing & Community Development departments. Funded primarily through SPLOST 2011 Project 32, the Costa Building Renovation included major interior space and layout changes, enhanced ADA access, significant mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades, and other updates to turn the building into useful and modern office space.

The building was originally built by and named after the Costa family, who owned a popular ice cream parlor at the location. The City of Athens purchased the building in 1972, and it initially served as Police headquarters. It was later used for emergency dispatch, the Downtown Athens Parking System office, and intermittent police training.

The ACCGov Mixtape is distributed monthly by the ACCGov Communications Department, accgov.com/communications, 706-613-3795