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Supervisors discuss moving planning and zoning services in-house to improve customer access
Summary
Following multiple complaints about slow or text-only responses from the zoning director, Worth County supervisors asked staff to research bringing planning and zoning services in-house, develop job descriptions, and examine enforcement options to help residents navigate permitting.
Supervisors raised repeated concerns about responsiveness from the county zoning director and asked staff to research options for bringing planning and zoning assistance in-house so residents can get clearer, more timely help with permits.
One supervisor (Committee member (S1)) said they have received several calls from residents who could not get substantive help and often received text-only replies. "We just won't utilize that somehow or another in-house," S1 said, urging the board to consider placing the function inside county operations where staff could assist applicants directly.
Members discussed trade-offs, noting the current contracted service costs about $5,000 and that the county should weigh what that fee buys. Committee member (S4) cautioned about expectations for a $5,000 service and recommended reviewing job descriptions, enforcement mechanisms and whether the function should be combined with other duties. The board directed staff to research possible structures, job descriptions and enforcement options and to report back.
Next steps: staff will investigate feasible organizational options, draft job descriptions for an in-house role (or combined assignment) and return recommendations to the board for policy decisions and potential budget implications.
