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Monona staff proposes part-time Planner I position; committee hears timeline and funding options
Summary
Staff told the Finance & Personnel Committee the city replaced a planned intern line with an hourly, part‑time Planner I to meet departmental workload; applications closed June 9 and interviews are underway, with staff projecting a modest added cost for 2026 that may be offset by permit fee adjustments and reallocated building permit hours.
City planning staff told the Finance & Personnel Committee on June 16 that a part‑time, hourly Planner I position is being pursued in place of a previously budgeted planning intern in the 2025 operating budget.
The presenter said the role would be an hourly part‑time Planner I intended to provide experienced, entry‑level planning assistance for zoning review, citizen inquiries and permit coordination. “It is still an hourly part‑time position,” the presenter said, describing the change as a refinement of duties and title rather than a material budget redesign for 2025.
Staff reported the position posting closed June 9 with 33 applicants and a generally strong candidate pool; the department is mid‑way through interviews. Staff told the committee that, if hired in the next few weeks, the additional 2025 cost would be modest (a few thousand dollars over the originally budgeted intern line) because the hire would cover roughly half the year. Staff estimated the full‑year incremental cost for 2026 would be about $14,000 over the current intern-line funding and said they will seek fee reallocations (zoning and permit fee changes) and other internal reclassifications to offset the long‑term cost.
Staff also said adding a Planner I will free capacity for code enforcement, building permit zoning review, and the expected comprehensive‑plan update planned for the fall; staff recommended that the finance committee treat the item as informational while the hiring and fee‑review processes continue.
The committee heard that staff intend to bring any proposed fee revisions and a full 2026 operating‑budget request through the normal budget process next year. Committee members expressed support for the position to help processing times and department capacity.
