Planning director seeks funding for GIS mapping, training and a planner position

The county planning and zoning director updated the commissioners on ongoing GIS work, training needs for the planning commission and a vacancy for a planner position.

Staff said the county started a project to digitize zoning maps and has completed much of the initial mapping work; the next step is QA/QC and adding layers such as infrastructure and parcel-level features that would be useful to operators and the public. The director said the cost estimate in the packet was a placeholder for ongoing QA/QC, maintenance and possible expansion of layers.

Planning commissioners also asked to pursue continuing education and the director noted a schedule of courses available through state planning associations. Commissioners signaled support for training but asked staff to phase travel and to limit national trips; staff said most requested training would occur within Georgia.

The director said the planner position is re-advertised at a market-competitive rate; commissioners acknowledged finding a senior planner at the requested pay could be difficult but expressed support for recruiting and for program continuity.

Staff will return with a more detailed GIS project plan and a public-access recommendation before commitments are made to additional spending.