Eight members of the Gilmer County Parks and Recreation advisory board held their first meeting.
Gilmer County’s Board of Commissioners joined the group June 22.
“I’m impressed with this group,” said Post Commissioner Hubert Parker.
Gilmer County commissioners began the meeting by appointing John Holland as the ninth member of the group. He will serve a three-year term.
While getting the initial business of forming a board behind them, the park and rec board received its first mission, find an organization to prepare a master plan for Gilmer County parks and recreation.
Gilmer Chair Charlie Paris asked the advisory board to weed out some of the organizations which could produce the plan for the county.
Advisory board members also heard an update on the Gilmer County pool and challenges with staffing the new facility.
They discussed some of the various grants which are being used in the parks and recreation department and staffing needs in the department in general.
Commissioners told the advisory board they would need a plan presented to them and some budgeting amendments before any new staff could be hired.
Though the advisory is only required to meet quarterly, the new group decided to meet again July 19, while they are getting started.