A long-discussed parks and recreation advisory board for Gilmer County now has members.
Gilmer County Commissioners each named three appointees to the board and then named a chair and vice chair for the group at a regular meeting June 8.
In addition, commissioners plan on attending the first meeting of the new board.
“I think it would be good if the very first meeting that all three of the commissioners attend and be there to answer any questions that the board has,” said Post Commissioner John Marshall during the commissioner’s work session on June 7.
Marshall nominated Jason Smith for a three-year term, Brady West for two years and Matt Watkins for a one-year term.
Post Commissioner Hubert Parker nominated Ellen Grant for three years, Kyle Ray for two years and Heath Thompson for a one-year term.
Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris nominated Steve Ralston for a two-year term and Drew Phillips for a one-year term.
His pick for a three-year term was thought to live out of county, so Paris was delaying his third choice.
All eight members were approved subject to the requirement of being county residents.
Jason Smith appointed chair of the advisory board, and Kyle Ray was appointed as vice chair by the commissioners.
Commissioners staggered the advisory board appointments so three members of the board would rotate off every year. From here on, all appointments will be for three years.
Other business
﹣ Commissioners approved bids to buy an ambulance for $298,326 and a minipumper for $306,683. The ambulance came in at $21,642 more than budgeted and the minipumper was an additional $26,683 more than budgeted. This followed a rebidding process.
﹣ Commissioners were told the community pool has a target date of mid-July to be completed and open.