Lee County staff urged board members to place an ordinance and hiring resolution for a zoning hearing officer on the upcoming county board agenda after attracting a candidate who currently serves as a zoning hearing officer in Whiteside County.

"I have given you the resume of Mandy Florup, with her references are on the last page," zoning staff said, presenting the candidate's materials. Staff reported they had regional outreach with minimal responses and that Florup, who currently serves Whiteside County, is willing to serve Lee County as well.

Staff noted the original posting budgeted $500 per hearing but said Whiteside County pays $750 and that Florup indicated $500 is no longer worth her time. Jeremy, a county staff member, said the county appears able to cover the higher fee within the current budget and recommended including the fee in the hire resolution. "We did get a response from the zoning hearing officer that is currently working with Whiteside County doing the exact same thing, and she is interested in coming here," he said.

Board members discussed dual service — Florup would continue to work for Whiteside County while accepting Lee County hearings — and whether distance (she lives in Wadsworth, Illinois) or split appointments created conflicts. Staff said her lack of local ties reduces conflict‑of‑interest concerns. "She does not have any ties to this area, so it alleviates that conflict of interest issue we've had," staff said.

How it will proceed: The county manager (Charlie) was identified as the appointing authority for outside hires, and staff said the board must adopt the ordinance that establishes the zoning hearing officer (ZHO) role. Board members asked staff to put the hiring resolution and the fee schedule on the county board agenda for the next meeting so the board can consider both compensation and the ordinance together.

No formal board vote to hire Florup occurred in committee; the committee recommended adding the item to the Thursday county board agenda for final approval and to include the proposed $750 per hearing fee. Staff said they would examine fee recovery and make the hire budget neutral by adjusting county fees if necessary.