The Highlands Town Board approved a series of administrative items on Nov. 20, including a town payment to cover a final NCDOT invoice, authorization to negotiate a playground contract, lease renewal for historical structures, and retirement of the police department's last K9.

Little Bear Pen caution light: Town staff reported the town had signed an agreement with NCDOT in Sept. 2023 and issued a check for an estimated $66,000. The final invoice received after project completion was $34,055.05; the Little Bear Pen Homeowners Association provided $20,500, leaving $13,555.05 as the town's responsibility. The board approved covering the $13,555.05 and will return in December with a budget amendment to formalize the allocation.

Playground design/build selection: A committee evaluated four firms and recommended Compound Inc. for the ADA-accessible playground at the Rec Park. The board directed staff to negotiate a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) with the recommended firm. The transcript contains inconsistent spellings of the firm in motions and remarks ("Compound Inc.", "Compan Inc.", and "Kompan Inc."); the recommendation in the staff report and committee ranking named Compound Inc.

Old jail and Buck Hill Cottage lease: Staff proposed a consolidated 10-year lease with the historical society that covers the old jail and Buck Hill Cottage; by state law a 10-year lease is the maximum allowed. The board approved the lease, which would run to 2035.

K9 Xena retirement: Chief Holland requested that K9 Xena retire on Dec. 31, 2025 (Xena will turn 8) and asked that Officer Cherry be given the option to purchase the canine upon retirement for $1 and assume responsibility for care. The board moved to accept the recommendation and approved the retirement and sale arrangement by voice vote.

All four items were approved by motion, second and voice vote; the transcript records voice outcomes but not roll-call tallies.