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Highland Lake council approves office hours, pay changes and routine town measures
Summary
At its Jan. 6 meeting, the Town of Highland Lake Council unanimously approved two resolutions on office hours and employee pay, amended a sales-and-use tax ordinance, introduced three committee ordinances for Feb. consideration, approved an invoice and ordered boat decals.
Mayor Gail Bailey presided over the Town of Highland Lake council meeting on Jan. 6, 2026, at The Anchor. The council unanimously approved two resolutions (office hours and updated employee pay rates), amended an existing sales-and-use tax ordinance, introduced three committee ordinances for later consideration, and handled several administrative items including an invoice payment and a boat-decal order.
The council approved Resolution HL-2026-R-01 establishing office hours after a motion by Council Member Carl Randall and a second from Council Member Bobby Rhodes; the roll call vote was unanimous. The council then approved Resolution HL-2026-R-02 setting pay rates for employees, again on a motion by Randall and a second by Rhodes with a unanimous roll call vote.
Council also voted to approve an amendment to Ordinance HL-2025-O-11 (sales and use tax). Carl Randall moved the amendment and Bobby Rhodes seconded the motion; the council’s roll call vote was unanimous.
Three ordinances were introduced for future consideration and will be posted prior to the February meeting: HL-2026-O-01 to address the Road Committee, HL-2026-O-02 to establish the Lake Preservation Committee, and HL-2026-O-03 concerning the Public Safety Committee. Mayor Gail Bailey and committee chairs discussed the ordinances during the meeting; no final votes on those ordinances were taken at this session.
On administrative and operational matters, the council recorded that Professional Home Renovation is scheduled to begin work at Town Hall on Jan. 21, 2026, to remove a popcorn ceiling and repair and paint walls; volunteers were asked to help move items into the library before work begins. The council decided to order 400 boat stickers and 100 trailer stickers, to be dark yellow with black lettering.
Finance Committee Chair Bobby Rhodes reported that a point-of-sale system has been identified for office payments and Auditor Gregg Hollon plans to attend the February council meeting to review the town audit. The council approved payment of the Municipal Workers Compensation Fund invoice for $3,279.56 on a motion by Carl Randall, seconded by Bobby Rhodes; the roll call vote was unanimous.
Chief of Police Scott Kon reported six service calls in December and seven traffic citations issued that month and noted ongoing issues with trashcans left out after pickup and dogs roaming. Building Inspector Tim Moore reported 14 inspections in December and said there are two new builds and six remodeling jobs currently underway. When asked by a resident about the previously discussed large house from the zoning hearing, Mayor Bailey and Inspector Moore said the plans had been approved and that the town ordinance requires houses to be at least 1,800 square feet.
Other approvals included replacing the top boards on a dock at the request of Ed Emerson (motion by Wes Faulkner, second by Carl Randall) and approving a request from Todd Barlock (motion by Wes Faulkner, second by Ramzi Malek); both motions passed by unanimous roll call. The Public Safety Committee reported it will hold a special called meeting Jan. 13 to gather more information about a possible 287(g) program memorandum of agreement and insurance implications before making a recommendation.
With no further business, the council adjourned at 7:50 p.m. The council’s next regular meeting was noted for February; Auditor Gregg Hollon is scheduled to attend that session to present the audit review.
