Highlands appoints Jim Tate to TDC, names Jeff to EDC and lays out process to fill commissioner vacancy

The board voted to appoint Commissioner Jim Tate as the Highlands representative to the county Tourism Development Commission. Speakers discussed the TDC’s limited oversight role over occupancy-tax spending, the distinction between chamber membership dollars and occupancy-tax funds, and the TDC’s authority to review occupancy-tax expenditures and report to county commissioners.

Separately, the board nominated and then appointed Jeff as the town’s representative to the Macon County Economic Development Commission.

On the vacant commissioner seat, town attorney Nick summarized two common municipal approaches: an immediate motion-and-appointment by the board or a nomination-and-ballot process where applicants submit materials, are publicly vetted and members vote from a slate. Nick recommended the nomination-and-ballot method and noted open-meetings constraints; commissioners agreed they wanted an open process with an application form, an attestation of residency and a public timeline so newspapers and voters can review candidates. Nick and Town Manager Josh Ward were asked to draft an application form and a short public notice for publication; the board agreed to allow roughly a month for applications and to schedule interviews and a public vote thereafter.

The board completed the appointments and directed staff to return with an application form and timeline for the vacancy process.