Executive Director message

I hope this summer issue of UAC Magazine finds you well despite the booming fuel prices

and other inflation pressures. As frustrating and impactful as rising costs are, we must trust that better days are ahead...they can’t come soon enough!

4Fuel costs

Our June member survey gives us a snapshot of the impact inflation and rising costs are having with just one component – fuel costs: > 41% currently imposing fuel surcharge > 71% considering adding or increasing fuel surcharge > 56% adjusting surcharge as prices increase > 77% reviewing adjustment to surcharge amount monthly > 54% will remove surcharge when gas is below $3 per gallon

A quick look at the comments from those who completed the survey will give you a glimpse of some of the strategies employed to communicate the rising costs to customers. You can view the complete survey results on our website: urbanagcouncil.com

Member benefit

With rising costs and budget season approaching,

I wanted to remind you of a particularly important

member benefit we are pleased to offer through our 4 partnership with Snellings Walters Insurance Agency: a broad range of insurance products.

With over 65 years in business, Snellings Walters’ professionals are thoroughly acquainted with the green industry and understand your needs. I’d urge you to contact Snellings Walters regarding the UAC Workers

Compensation program and their P&C programs. Their advisers can help you analyze your existing policies/ products and make sure you have: 1) adequate and appropriate coverage and 2) you are not over-paying!

Snellings Walters can also help you with health care benefits, with a variety of options for companies of all sizes. Our health benefits “captive” program for companies with 40+ employees has provided incredible savings to the companies who use it and is worth a look. Mary Kay Woodworth | Executive Director

How do your organization’s benefits compare? Snellings Walters has partnered with Milliman to offer you a Benefits Benchmarking Survey, where you will receive practical advice to improve your business as you compare your organization’s benefits to those offered by other companies. Contact Tara Byrd at tbyrd@snellingswalters. com for information.

Water smart

UGA’s Dr. Brian Schwartz continues to be rightfully recognized for his role in developing the drought-tolerant bermudagrass cultivar called TifTuf. In July, the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, will recognize Dr. Schwartz with the Phil Karr Water Wise Award, which is presented to an individual who has made a great contribution to water conservation in Georgia. With July being National Irrigation Month, look at the article on page 50 of this issue about drought-tolerant turfgrasses that can save billions of gallons of irrigation 4 water each year. Congratulations, Dr. Schwartz!

Save the date

Make sure to mark your calendar for future events: > UGA Turfgrass Research Field Day & UAC Tradeshow (August 3) > Landscape Pro University (August 31) > Annual UAC Sporting Clays Tournament (October 27) ...and more events to be announced soon! Contact me today for information about sponsoring and exhibiting at these UAC events! Have a safe, healthy, and profitable summer, and hope to see you soon!