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Lincoln County to add full‑time planner amid budget debates over library and other line items
Summary
The Lincoln County commissioners voted June 24 to convert a contracted planning position into a full‑time planner, accepting staff estimates that increased permit revenues will offset most of the cost this year. Commissioners also negotiated reductions to several library line items while finalizing other departmental budgets.
Lincoln County commissioners voted June 24 to add a second full‑time planner to the county planning department, a move county staff said is needed to handle increased floodplain work and an anticipated large subdivision while keeping long‑term permit revenue in mind.
Planning staff told the board the shift would replace an annual contractor budget (about $17,500–$20,000) with a staffed position and that, depending on revenues, the net budget impact could range from roughly $74,500 (no revenue offset) to about $29,000 for the coming fiscal year. "Our workload has increased substantially, at least from a floodplain standpoint," the planning representative said, noting the department was projecting roughly $66,000–$70,000 in permit revenue this year versus a budgeted $45,000.
Commissioners discussed tradeoffs between cutting contracted services and hiring a staff planner. Commissioner (speaker 4) moved to hire the additional planner; Commissioner (speaker 5) seconded the motion, and the board voted in favor.
The afternoon budget review also focused on the library, where commissioners questioned several large year‑over‑year increases. Library staff explained that some line items rose because the county no longer supplies paper and because one‑time purchases (new book drop, copy‑machine contracts) and reinstating book purchases drove the change. After discussion, commissioners agreed on several adjustments: technology supplies to $14,000, educational/book purchases reduced from the requested $24,000 to $14,000, and operating supplies reduced toward $10,000 depending on final invoices. "I have to have that discussion with my board," the library director said when asked about restoring certain lines.
Other departments — airports, public health, fair, clerk of court, and public safety — were discussed with mostly modest adjustments or a decision to wait for firm numbers (tax valuations and final contract figures) before making further cuts. Commissioners noted the overall levy and cash balances remain preliminary and could change before the July 1 deadline.
The commission instructed staff to repopulate the final numbers for adoption and moved on to other agenda items.
