Board of Realtors holds annual RPAC luncheon

The Highland County Board of Realtors held its annual RPAC (Realtors Political Action Committee) fund-raiser, auction and luncheon Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the Highland County YMCA.

Board President Kelly Kimble welcomed Realtors and board affiliates and thanked those who contributed to the auction, which was conducted by Lowell Chambers and Rusty Fite.

Kimble also introduced guest speaker and Hillsboro mayor Drew Hastings.

Hastings told the Realtors, "Economic development to me is about real estate. When I get up every day, I consider Hillsboro a real estate project."

Hastings referenced the city's vacant property ordinance which, he said, only applies to commercial property.

"If you own a vacant building, you need to do something with it," Hastings said.

He said property owners should maintain their respective buildings and may be required to renovate them to make them more aesthetically appealing.

"I'm not big on regulating people's property," Hastings said. "The spirit of this ordinance is (that) your vacant building should not be an economic detriment to your neighbor's building."

Hastings also said he wants to see rental property agreements whereby the water and sewer fees "go with the property owner, not the tenant."

The mayor said a citywide trash collection service is being discussed as well.

A lively and entertaining auction followed the mayor's talk, with all proceeds going to the Realtors Political Action Committee.