Swain appointed to Highland’s planning, zoning board
By Brittany Blackwell
Reporter • Highland native Charles Swain has been appointed to the city’s combined planning and zoning board.
The 46-year-old calls Southern Illinois home. He moved back to Highland in 2022 to be closer to family after living in California and Nebraska. The appointment fills a vacancy due to the resignation of longtime board member Bill Koehnemann, who served the city for 56 years.
Mayor Kevin Hemann made the appointment and welcomed Swain to the board following the city council’s approval at its April 20 meeting. Swain submitted an application to the city earlier in the month. His term will expire in 2030.
Planning and zoning boards manage local land use to shape community development, ensuring projects align with policies. This is in line with Swain’s years of experience in permit and resource management, honed in California’s unincorporated Sonoma County. There, his interest grew as he spent time with the combined building, planning, code enforcement and fire protection department and learned about land development. Responsibilities included contract facilitation, such as drafting professional service agreements and ensuring proper execution.
Additionally, during his tenure on the plans team at the Sonoma County Emergency Operations Center, Swain responded to disasters, focusing on preparedness, response and recovery activities.
“I have an interest in the public — how things get developed, the effects of policy on communities. When I saw the opportunity to serve here, I knew I wanted to take it. I miss being a civil servant and seeing my work make an impact around me,” he said.
He said he is “very open” to public feedback on any particular issue.
“The City of Highland should continue to reflect what is comfortable for its people. Public opinion is very important to me, along with giving due respect to codes and ordinances,” he said.
Swain currently works as a data analyst at World Wide Technology and enjoys weightlifting, board games and outdoor cooking.
The board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at Highland City Hall, 1115 Broadway. The meetings are open to the public.
In other business, the city council approved several new business items, some include:
- Ordinance amending fiscal year 2025-2026 budget
- Ordinance adopting the financial budget of the city for the fiscal year, and authorizing expenditures
- Ordinance authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds to finance certain street projects
- Notice of municipal letting for Highland Silver Lake structure in-lake sediment basin
- Award bid for street resurfacing 2026
- Award bid for Aldi store access road and sanitary sewer extension
- Resolution authorizing request for qualifications and proposals for city comprehensive plan development services
- Resolution waiving customary bidding procedures for purchase of a new loader backhoe and breaker
The next Highland City Council meeting is May 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Highland City Hall.
