Highlands swears in officials, elects Jim Tate mayor pro tem and approves employee-only parking

The Highlands Town Board used its Dec. 11 meeting to complete several administrative items, including swearing in elected officials, selecting a mayor pro tem and approving an employee-parking restriction for the town-hall lot.

Shauna Lamb, Macon County clerk of superior court, administered the oath of office to newly elected and re-elected commissioners (the transcript records Jim Tate and mentions Commissioners Patterson and Pearson among those sworn). The board presented a plaque to outgoing Commissioner Buzz Dodson in recognition of 18 years of service; residents earlier had praised Dodson’s role in short-term rental policy.

The board then nominated and elected Commissioner Jim Tate as mayor pro tem by voice vote after a nomination and second. The transcript records the motion and an affirmative voice vote but does not provide a roll-call tally.

Town Manager Josh Ward briefed the board on multiple staff projects: the third electrical circuit on Cashers Road is active; the Franklin Road circuit was bid but received fewer than three bids and will be re-bid with an opening expected in mid‑January; discussions with the Boys & Girls Club about a local project were ongoing; staff and Commissioner Weller were finalizing a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for a playground with an expected figure by the end of the month; the Dog Mountain project is proceeding; and town hall will be closed for the Christmas holiday.

Ward proposed restricting the entire town-hall parking lot to town-employee parking Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with signage at both entrances. He said the town employs 14 people and that Hotwire holds three designated spaces for its fiber lease; staff estimated roughly 33 total spaces. The board moved, seconded and approved the redesignation by voice vote.

Why it matters: The swearing-in and mayor‑pro‑tem election set the board’s leadership for the coming term; the parking-policy change alters public access to a central municipal lot during business hours and may affect visitor parking downtown. Infrastructure items reported by staff (circuits, bids, playground GMP) indicate near-term construction or procurement activity.

What’s next: The transcript records approvals by voice vote but does not include roll-call tallies or detailed staff reports; follow-up agenda items or staff memos may provide finer details and timelines.