Highland County Board of Supervisors February Work Session

At the February work session of the Highland County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor David Blanchard made a statement on where county government stands on the Maple Fest cancellation.  He said he wanted to make it clear that while other agencies of the county are toying with the idea of using the term maple weekends and advertising as such, there is zero support from the Board of Supervisors and county government for such an action.   Blanchard said the Board is supportive for businesses to be open and advertise all they want, but county government is not promoting Maple Festival or maple weekends this year.  County Attorney Melissa Dowd said it would be appropriate, so it would be in the minutes, to have a motion that the county is not encouraging or sponsoring a function in connection with what has been Maple Festival in the past.   Blanchard made the motion that the county sponsored Maple Festival is not going forward this year and is not supported by the Board of Supervisors.   The motion passed unanimously.  Board Chair Harry Sponaugle said there was no way the county could promote anything this year and still be within COVID guidelines from the state.

In other business, the board appointed Emily Malcolm to the Valley Community Services Board.  She will be completing the remainder of Holli McVeigh’s term, who resigned from the Board.

The Supervisors approved giving permission to Highland County EMS to apply for a Rural Emergency Medical Services Training Grant.

County Administrator Roberta Lambert gave the Board, for its review, the renewal information on health insurance for county employees.  She said there is a small decrease in premiums of about $2,500.

The Board is looking at possibly holding a joint public hearing on the proposed Solar Ordinance with the Planning Commission and the Monterey Town Council at the Planning Commission’s March meeting.

And the Board also discussed holding a work session for more review of the Emergency Medical Services fee.  After discussing several possible dates, it will probably be held March 17 at 6pm, just before the Board’s monthly work session at 7:30.