The Allegheny County Planning and Economic Development Committee on Aug. 20 approved refilling an associate planner position that the department had filled last year but left vacant amid staff turnover.

Kiera Derlim, director of planning, told the committee the department took the first part of the year to assess workload following a period of staff change and determined the position is needed. "This was previously filled last year. As you know, we had a big staff change. We took the first part of this year to determine how our workload is and what our needs are. And, at this point, we're looking to refill that associate planner position," Derlim said.

A committee member moved to approve the refill; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. Committee members did not amend the request and no budgetary figures or candidate names were discussed during the meeting.

Staff will proceed with recruitment steps for the associate planner position and return to the committee with updates as recruitment progresses.