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Board approves cannabis ordinance, appoints interim county attorney and sets several salaries; other routine items cleared
Summary
At the same meeting the Houston County Board adopted a local cannabis ordinance with the changes discussed at a Dec. 11 special meeting, appointed an interim county attorney and approved several personnel and budget items, including selected salary adjustments and ARPA/LACTF uses.
Houston County commissioners took a string of final actions on routine and personnel matters, including adoption of a local cannabis business ordinance, appointment of an interim county attorney and several budget and contract approvals.
Key outcomes at a glance:
- Cannabis ordinance adopted: The board adopted the cannabis ordinance as revised after the Dec. 11 special meeting. Commissioners voted by roll call in the affirmative on the ordinance.
- Interim county attorney appointment and salary: Commissioners appointed Sue Bubitz as interim Houston County Attorney to fill the remainder of Sam Yount’s term and set her pay at the salary newly set for the county attorney position. The board also approved a 6.5% increase for the county attorney salary earlier in the meeting.
- Consent and contracts: The board approved routine consent items including hauler license renewals for 2025 and the county’s contract with Building Community (aluminum redemption adjustments). The board approved Richard’s Sanitation rate adjustments that included a 3% increase for certain pull and maintenance rates for specified locations.
- ARPA and LACTF funding: Commissioners approved final allocations of remaining federal-American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and LACTF funds to cover identified equipment and one-time items in the 2025 budget and accepted related vendor quotes. Staff said these allocations were necessary to obligate funds before federal deadlines.
- Airport hangar project: The board authorized seeking bids for an 8-unit T-hangar at the county airport with an alternate to reduce to six units if bids come in high; estimated project costs and county share were discussed; commissioners deferred final funding decisions to the newly seated board in January.
- Budget and fee actions: The board approved 2024 budget adjustments, adopted the 2025 operating budget resolution and approved changes to several county fees, including a recalculated research fee and updated solid-waste and public-works charges. The board directed that the new-address sign fee be collected via the building permit for new homes to simplify billing and relieve some township up-front costs.
- Salaries and appointments: The board approved a 6.5% across-the-board pay adjustment that applies to much county staff. The board set the county recorder’s 2025 salary per the approved salary grid and set the sheriff’s 2025 salary at a 6.5% increase after an initial 3.5%-plus-COLA proposal failed and a second motion adopting the standard 6.5% increase passed. Commissioners also set the 2025 board-member compensation in line with the adopted budget.
Procedural notes: Several items were presented with supporting materials in the meeting packet. The board used roll-call votes for many final actions. The items above reflect the formal adopted motions and approvals recorded in the meeting minutes.
Ending: Commissioners closed the meeting after approving warrants and routine administrative items, with outgoing commissioners acknowledged for their service and the board noting a January swearing-in for newly elected commissioners.
