At the Dec. 2 meeting county staff introduced two new hires to the planning commission. Sabrina Folks joined the county in mid-September as senior administrative assistant and serves as clerk to the planning commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. Kelly Smith joined in mid-November as senior planner, filling a position that had been vacant in the community development department.

Staff also publicly recognized Holly Kazee for stepping in during staffing shortages to support permitting and onboarding duties.

Commissioner Brown said this was his last meeting and that he is taking the Dan River District seat on the Board of Supervisors. Brown asked residents of the Dan River District who are interested in filling his planning commission seat to contact him, saying, “If you're interested in a planning commission job for the Dan River District, I'm actively looking for someone to fulfill my spot. So, please reach out to me.”

The commission welcomed the new staff and thanked Brown for his service; no formal appointment at this meeting was recorded.