The Finance and Audit Committee approved moving forward with the annual agreement to house a planner paid by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) within the county Department of Transportation.

Scott Henning, assistant director of transportation at McHenry County DOT, and Drew Duffin, planning manager at DOT, explained that the position is funded 80% by a federal grant through CMAP with the county providing the 20% local match. The planner is a county employee, receives county benefits and reports to DOT staff.

Staff said the position’s role is to help program federal transportation dollars for county and local projects and to act as a local liaison for the MPO so federal funds are adequately programmed and decisions reflect local priorities. DOT staff said the planner takes direction from DOT and is supervised locally by Drew Duffin. Committee members asked about the position’s location and whether alternatives—housing the position at a council of governments or a municipality—had been considered; staff said those options are used elsewhere in the region but DOT housing was chosen for daily operational advantages.

The committee voted to approve item 7.9. Committee members said they welcome periodic reviews of the annual agreement and budget match but expressed general comfort with continuing the current arrangement.

Ending — The CMAP planner agreement was approved by the committee; staff will continue annual reviews of the match, job duties and placement and report back as needed.